Blue Jays disavow Anthony Santander's controversial Instagram reels

The Toronto Blue Jays issued a statement on Thursday distancing the club from two Instagram reels posted by outfielder Anthony Santander. The videos, shared in the days after the United States midterm elections, featured commentary that linked Muslim elected officials to support for Sharia law and included a claim that "no such thing as kind Muslims." Both reels have since been removed from Santander's Instagram story.

"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," the team said when asked for comment by Paul Ross of CTV News Toronto.

Santander, a Venezuelan-born player who joined the Blue Jays on a five-year, $92.5 million contract after the 2024 season, has not appeared in a game since early 2025. He played 54 games that season before a shoulder injury limited his performance and led to surgery on his left labrum. After a brief rehab stint in September, he did not return to the major-league roster. He remains under contract for three guaranteed seasons, with salaries ranging from $15.5 million to $19.2 million and a $15 million team option for 2030.

Toronto’s 2021 census data show that Muslims comprise 9.6 % of the city’s population and 4.9 % of Canada overall.