MLB approved the Toronto Blue Jays’ request to remove the switch-hitting slugger from their ALCS roster.
Dr. Gary Green, MLB’s Medical Director, confirmed the injury after a full review.
Outfielder Joey Loperfido will take Santander’s spot in time for Thursday’s Game 4.
Per MLB rules, a player removed due to injury during a series is ineligible to return in the following series, meaning Santander will not be available to return if the Blue Jays advance to the World Series.
Santander was a late scratch for Game 2 due to back tightness. He returned for Game 3, but was removed in the fifth for defensive replacement Myles Straw after walking and scoring from second in the top half of the inning.
He was not included in the starting lineup for Game 4 due to what manager John Schneider called a “stiff” and “sore” back.
Santander, who missed most of the season with a shoulder injury, is 3-for-16 in these playoffs with two RBIs. He has yet to hit a home run since his return from the injured list in late September.
The 30-year-old signed a five-year, $92.5 million contract to join the Blue Jays in the off-season.
With Santander out for Game 4, Addison Barger takes his place in right field, Ernie Clement moves to third base and Isiah Kiner-Falefa slots in at second.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Kirk slides up to the clean-up spot in the batting order.
The Mariners also made a small tweak to their lineup. Outfielder Victor Robles was moved to the bench, with Leo Rivas taking his spot in the lineup and playing second base. Dominic Canzone will take over defensively in right field, and Jorge Polanco will serve as Seattle’s designated hitter.
Robles was 1-for-12 through the first three games of the series.
You can watch as Max Scherzer leads the Blue Jays into a pivotal Game 4 of the ALCS on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting at 8:33 p.m. ET / 5:33 p.m. PT.
