TORONTO — Slugger Anthony Santander left the Toronto Blue Jays lineup late for Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.
Santander initially intended to throw the seventh against the Seattle Mariners, even holding a pregame press conference.
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He was removed from Toronto's roster just over two hours before first pitch at the Rogers Centre.
The Blue Jays say he is out with a back strain.
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Second baseman Ernie Clement moved from eighth to seventh in Toronto's standings, while left fielder Davis Schneider moved into eighth place.
Santander missed long stretches of the regular season with back and shoulder problems after signing a five-year, US$92.5 million deal with Toronto in the off-season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 13, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
