The Toronto Blue Jays issued a corporate apology Thursday after activist groups targeted outfielder Anthony Santander over political Instagram posts he shared last week.
Bowing to pressure from activists, the team met with local Muslim leaders before Chairman and CEO Mark Shapiro issued the following statement.
Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrate after Guerrero hits a home run in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at T-Mobile Park on October 15, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (Getty Images)
“We met today with leaders of Toronto’s Muslim communities, who shared the harm caused by Anthony Santander’s Islamophobic social media posts. The opportunity to listen and learn was important and reaffirms our beliefs and values as an organization. We condemn Islamophobia and all forms of hatred.
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“The Blue Jays are deeply sorry to the Muslim community and our fans for the pain and harm caused by these Islamophobic messages. We will work with Muslim community leaders to combat all forms of hate. The Blue Jays will continue to ensure our organization reflects the inclusive community we are proud to call home.”
Santander ruffled a few feathers last week after progressive Democrat Abdul El-Sayed won Michigan’s U.S. Senate race.
Anthony Santander #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays takes the field during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Center on Sunday, October 12, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (MLB photos via Getty Images)
A native of Venezuela who grew up under a socialist regime, Santander shared third-party Instagram Stories, which included a vignette of El-Sayed reading “America voted for Sharia law last night,” a graphic declaring, “Islam is not peaceful,” and a preacher saying, “there are no good Muslims.”
Santander deleted the messages two days later.
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Advocacy groups and online critics condemned the posts, demanding that the franchise cancel the outfielder. Steven Zhou of the National Council of Canadian Muslims told reporters that community members were “very, very upset.”
Anthony Santander #25 of the Toronto Blue Jays enters the field before Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. (MLB photos via Getty Images)
Zhou attended Thursday’s meeting and reported that the club was committed to putting Santander through educational training, although Shapiro’s statement did not mention any discipline.
Despite the pressure, Santander has not apologized or commented publicly.
Speaking at the MLB general managers’ meetings on Tuesday, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said there were no words to express his disappointment and confirmed he told Santander he needed to address the situation.
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Neither the Blue Jays nor Major League Baseball have announced a fine, suspension or roster change, and that mostly comes down to payroll.
Removing Santander would force Toronto to absorb $49 million in remaining guaranteed money.
Since signing in 2025, Santander has only played 54 games, missing the entire 2026 season due to shoulder surgery.
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For now, the Blue Jays are willing to issue an apology to appease the activists.
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