Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins Denounces Anthony Santander's Anti-Islam Posts

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins fully denounced outfielder Anthony Santander's anti-Islam Instagram posts on Tuesday, speaking to reporters during MLB's annual general manager meetings.

"There really aren't words to express my level of disappointment with him making those comments," Atkins said, according to SportsNet. "I think anything exacerbating some level of anti-Islamic hate is just extremely concerning, extremely disappointing."

Atkins said he personally expressed his disappointment to Santander and made clear the Blue Jays do not hold similar beliefs. He also talked to Santander about his lack of awareness, realizing that he has a very large microphone, what that meant.

"We're working exceptionally hard internally to ensure, and we have been, that it's a safe environment, that baseball is for everyone. It's very important to us. It's a part of our organizational values and his behavior did not align with that," Atkins said.

The Blue Jays previously released a statement distancing the club from Santander's posts last week, writing, "Individual comments do not represent our organization's values and beliefs."

The posts came via two reels shared on Santander's Instagram story, both posted in the wake of the United States midterm elections that saw Democrats capture control of the U.S. House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate and several state governments. Santander's first video consisted of one account tracking the number of Muslims elected to government positions, most notably Sen.-elect Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan, and arguing, "All good Muslims believe in and want Sharia law instead of American law." The second video features a Christian minister proclaiming, among other things, that there is "no such thing as kind Muslims."

The posts were later removed from Santander's IG story.

Atkins said the Blue Jays would work with Santander and that he had advised Santander to address the matter publicly. "I expressed my level of concern. I believe he felt it. I know he feels badly, but I don't want to speak for him," Atkins said.

Per Canadian census data from 2021, Toronto has a 9.6% Muslim population, and Muslims make up 4.9% of the Canadian population overall.

Santander was born and raised in Venezuela and came to the U.S. after signing with Cleveland as a teenager. He spent his entire MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles before moving to Canada on a five-year, $92.5 million contract signed with the Blue Jays following the 2024 season.

It has been more than a year since Santander played his most recent game for the Blue Jays. His first season with the club in 2025 saw him play only 54 games due to a lingering shoulder injury and slash only .175/.271/.294. His injury worsened during the 2025 postseason and resulted in surgery on his left labrum.

Santander began a rehab assignment in September of this year, but he wound up playing only five games before his season ended without a return to MLB. He has three guaranteed seasons remaining on his contract, with a salary ranging from $15.5 million to $19.2 million with deferrals, plus a $15 million team option for 2030.

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