UPDATE: The Toronto Blue Jays have officially scratched outfielder Anthony Santander from the lineup for Game 2 of the AL Championship Series due to a sore lower back, just announced moments ago. Davis Schneider will step in to replace him in left field, while Ernie Clement moves up to seventh in the batting order, with Schneider set to bat eighth.
This development comes after the Blue Jays struggled in their 3-1 loss to the Seattle Mariners in Sunday’s series opener, managing only two hits. The team is looking to bounce back and secure a crucial win in front of their home crowd at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
In a related update, outfielder Nathan Lukes returns to the lineup for Game 2 after suffering a bruise to his right knee during Sunday’s game. He was replaced by Myles Straw in the fourth inning of the previous match. The Blue Jays are hoping Lukes can provide a spark as they aim to rally in this pivotal series.
Santander, who signed a lucrative $92.5 million contract with Toronto last offseason, has faced challenges this season, missing nearly four months due to a left shoulder injury. His postseason performance has been lackluster, hitting just .231 with no home runs and two RBIs across four playoff games.
As the Blue Jays prepare for this critical matchup, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the impact of Santander’s absence on the team’s offensive strategy. With the series tied at one game each, the stakes are incredibly high.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.