Blue Jays slugger homers in rehab start with Buffalo

"If he hopes to make it back to the majors this season, Anthony Santander is certainly off to a great start. The injured Blue Jays outfielder finally began a rehab assignment Thursday with Buffalo, hitting a home run and drawing two walks in five plate appearances. Santander crushed an 81-mph changeup 396 feet for a solo shot in the Bisons' 8-7 loss to the Rochester Red Wings."

"Santander, who hasn't played since May 29 thanks to a shoulder injury, was supposed to start a rehab assignment earlier this week. But the plan was delayed when Santander started feeling some back tightness. The current plan is to have Santander serve as DH for two more games with the Bisons, then a couple of games in right or left field. The Bisons' season ends Sept. 21 while the MLB season ends a week later."

"The lack of right-handed swings is important, because according to Toronto manager John Schneider, the shoulder injury only affected Santander's right-handed swing. But the biggest concern is that there is less than three weeks left in the season and time is running out for a Santander return. As a result, Schneider told the Canadian Press, while it's unlikely to happen, the Blue Jays would at least consider having Santander bat only as a left-handed hitter."

Anthony Santander began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Buffalo, hitting a home run and drawing two walks in five plate appearances. He crushed an 81-mph changeup 396 feet for a solo shot in the Bisons' 8-7 loss to Rochester. Santander has not played since May 29 due to a shoulder injury, and an earlier rehab start was delayed by back tightness. The plan calls for him to serve as designated hitter for two more Bisons games, then play a couple games in right or left field. He batted exclusively left-handed in the rehab start. Toronto manager John Schneider said the shoulder issue only affected Santander's right-handed swing, and the Blue Jays may consider using him solely as a left-handed hitter given the limited time remaining in the season.

Read at Jays Journal