Santander activated by Jays versus Red Sox; France put on 10-day IL, Manoah DFAed

FILE — Toronto Blue Jays' Anthony Santander walks back to the dugout after striking out during the first inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, May 25, 2025, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)

Tony Taters is back.

Veteran slugger Anthony Santander was reinstated from the Toronto Blue Jays’ 60-day injured list less than an hour before Tuesday night’s game with the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. 

Santander was available to play against Boston.

First baseman Ty France was put on the 10-day IL in a corresponding move. He was out with left oblique inflammation retroactive to Monday.

Right-handed pitcher Alek Manoah was designated for assignment, potentially ending his time in the Blue Jays organization after having Tommy John surgery in June 2024 to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of his throwing elbow.

Santander had been out with a shoulder injury since May 29. He was doing a rehab assignment with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons when the minor-league team’s season ended on Sunday.

Santander signed a five-year, US$92.5-million deal with Toronto in January after spending the first eight years of his career with the Baltimore Orioles.

The former all-star was batting .179 with 33 hits, six home runs, and 18 runs batted in over 50 games for the Blue Jays before he was placed on the IL.

France and relief pitcher Louis Varland were traded to Toronto ahead of Major League Baseball’s deadline on July 31 for outfielder Alan Roden and pitching prospect Kendry Rojas.

France was hitting .257 with seven home runs and 52 runs batted in so far this season for Minnesota and the Blue Jays.

Manoah has not pitched for Toronto this season. He has a 29-20 career record, with a 3.34 earned-run average and 412 strikeouts over four seasons.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider said all-star shortstop Bo Bichette took swings in the batting cage on Monday and would again Tuesday.

Bichette was having a strong season before spraining his left knee on Sept. 6, batting .311 with 18 home runs, 94 RBIs and an .840 on-base plus slugging percentage in 139 games. He still leads the majors in hits (181) and doubles (44).

By John Chidley-Hill

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 23, 2025.