Toronto Blue Jays

Blue jays Face Roster Decisions as Santander Returns, Manoah ⁢Heads to Triple-A

Buffalo, NY – September 11, 2025 – The Toronto Blue Jays are navigating crucial roster⁤ decisions in the⁣ final weeks of the ‌season as outfielder​ Anthony Santander continues his rehabilitation with the Triple-A buffalo Bisons and pitcher Alek Manoah was optioned to Buffalo⁣ following‌ the completion of​ his‌ Tommy John surgery recovery. the moves come as Toronto pushes for a playoff berth with 16 games remaining.

Santander homered and walked twice while serving as designated ⁤hitter for the Bisons on Thursday, hitting a 396-foot home run. He has ‌been battling hip, shoulder,⁤ and back injuries that sidelined him for the last three months of the season.⁢ With nine games left on Buffalo’s schedule, the Blue Jays are evaluating whether Santander can regain his timing ‍and ⁤earn a spot back on the big-league roster.

“we’re kind of running out of ⁣time, so‌ we’ll see how he feels,” manager John Schneider told ‌reporters in Toronto.

Santander signed a $92.5 million offseason contract with Toronto, but struggled to a .221 average with a .649 OPS and two home runs ​in his first 20 games before being injured. The team is mindful‌ of his history as a slow starter and needs immediate contributions during their pennant chase.

In a separate roster move, the Blue Jays optioned Manoah to Triple-A Buffalo after his extensive rehab⁤ from Tommy John surgery. With a stable rotation ‍of five starters and Eric Lauer providing long‍ relief, there was ​no immediate opening for Manoah on⁣ the major league roster.

“Alek understands it’s been 14 months or so of hard work,” Schneider said. “and it may take a‌ little bit‍ of time.So if it’s‍ this year, ⁢if it’s next year, we just want him to be himself.”

To create space for Manoah on ⁢the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays designated infielder Orelvis Martínez for assignment. Once​ ranked as the second-best prospect in Toronto’s system by Keith Law in 2023,‌ Martínez ‍struggled with performance and consistency. He hit .176 with 112 strikeouts in 99 games this ‍season, overshadowing his⁢ power potential.