Anthony Santander will start Game 4 of the American League Championship Series on the bench.
The 30-year-old outfielder was replaced on defense in the bottom of the fifth in Game 3 after scoring on a second-run single in the top half of the frame.
Despite coach John Schneider telling reporters after the game that the substitution “depends on the score,” Santander was not included in the team's lineup. Toronto Blue Jays starting lineup on Thursday.
“Everyone is working now, and Tony is working. I think with the score like that, you've seen us play that game where you get to a certain point and Tony gets three hits against the starter and you kind of flip the script a little bit towards defense,” Schneider added after Toronto's 13-4 win.
With Santander out, Alejandro Kirk moves into the cleanup spot and Isaiah Kiner-Falefa steps into the batting order at second base, moving Ernie Clement to third base and Addison Barger to right field.
Santander was late in Game 2 with a strained back, but Schneider said he was ready to hit if necessary. In the third game, the hitter made it 0-2 with a walk and a strikeout.
Kiner-Falefa has had success in his career against Seattle Mariners Starter Luis Castillo, going 5-for-13 from the right-hander with a home run and a double.
Santander missed most of the regular season with a shoulder injury suffered on May 29. He returned to the lineup against the Boston Red Sox on September 24 in the Blue Jays' penultimate series of the season.
The Mariners also made minor changes to their roster. Outfielder Victor Robles was benched and Leo Rivas took his place in the lineup at second base. Dominic Canzone will take over defensive duties in right field and Jorge Polanco will be Seattle's designated hitter.
Robles was 1-for-12 in the first three games of the series.
You can watch Max Scherzer lead the Blue Jays into a decisive Game 4 of the ALCS on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8:33 PM ET/5:33 PM PT.
