Blue Jays Address Santander’s Anti-islam Instagram Posts

WHO:

Fox News - Anthony Santander is a Toronto Blue Jays outfielder whose deleted Instagram posts prompted backlash.

Yahoo Sports - The Blue Jays said individual comments do not represent the organization’s values and beliefs.

Yahoo Sports - One video highlighted Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed.

Yahoo Sports - Santander was born and raised in Venezuela, signed with Cleveland as a teenager, and spent his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles before joining the Blue Jays.

Reddit Sports - A Reddit post described Santander’s posts as anti-Muslim and said they did not represent the team.

WHAT:

Fox News - The Blue Jays responded to Santander deleting Instagram posts connected to the U.S. midterm elections; the article said the team issued no apology or discipline.

Yahoo Sports - The Blue Jays issued a statement distancing the club from two anti-Islam reels Santander shared on his Instagram story.

Yahoo Sports - The first video tracked Muslims elected to government positions and claimed, “All good Muslims believe in and want Sharia law instead of American law.”

Yahoo Sports - The second video featured a Christian minister saying, among other things, that there is “no such thing as kind Muslims.” The posts were removed from Santander’s Instagram story.

Yahoo Sports - The Blue Jays stated: “Baseball is for everyone, and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark. Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs.”

Yahoo Sports - Santander signed a five-year, $92.5 million Blue Jays contract after the 2024 season. He has three guaranteed seasons remaining, with annual salary ranging from $15.5 million to $19.2 million with deferrals, plus a $15 million team option for 2030.

Yahoo Sports - Santander played 54 games in his 2025 season, batting .175/.271/.294. A lingering shoulder injury worsened during the 2025 postseason and led to left labrum surgery. He started a rehab assignment in September and played five games, but did not return to MLB that season.

WHERE:

Yahoo Sports - El-Sayed is from Michigan; Santander joined the Blue Jays in Canada.

Yahoo Sports - Toronto’s Muslim population was 9.6%, and Muslims were 4.9% of Canada’s population, according to 2021 Canadian census data.

WHEN:

Yahoo Sports - The reels were shared after the U.S. midterm elections, when Democrats captured control of the House of Representatives, Senate, and several state governments.

Yahoo Sports - Santander’s Blue Jays contract followed the 2024 season; his first Blue Jays season was 2025.

Yahoo Sports - Yahoo reported that Santander had not played a Blue Jays game for more than a year.

Yahoo Sports - His rehab assignment began in September; he played five games before his season ended.

HOW:

Yahoo Sports - The Blue Jays’ statement was provided to CTV News Toronto reporter Paul Ross.

Yahoo Sports - Santander’s 2025 shoulder injury was treated with surgery on his left labrum.

Toronto’s Blue Jays distanced themselves from Anthony Santander’s deleted anti-Muslim Instagram reels, saying they don’t reflect team values. The videos targeted Muslims and Muslim lawmakers. Santander’s 2025 season was limited by a shoulder injury requiring surgery.