Toronto Blue Jays manager comes up with crucial update on Anthony Santander's availability ahead of clash against Tampa Bay Rays

The Toronto Blue Jays' are optimistic that Anthony Santander starts Saturday's game against Tampa Bay Rays. On Friday, Santander was not part of the starting line up but came in the ninth inning as a pinch hitter and drew a walk. When he managed to reach the base, he was replaced with a pinch runner.

Blue Jays manager on Anthony Santander's availability for encounter against Tampa Bay Rays?

It was also Santander's first game since Wednesday's 14-0 victory over San Diego Padres. He left the game after his first bat-up due to left hip inflammation. It was Jonathan Clase who had replaced him in the line-up. Not just this, Clase hit a double, a walk, a run and two RBIs.

After Friday's game, Blue Jays manager John Schneider gave an update on Santander's availability for Saturday.

I think he should be good to go tomorrow. He was feeling better as the day went on, Schneider said post-game.

The lingering hip and shoulder injuries have posed a problem for Santander this season. Earlier this month, Anthony Santander missed games against Seattle Mariners and the Detroit Tigers with same injury.

Anthony Santander moved down the lineup due to poor form

After singing a whopping $92 million five year contract in the offseason, the expectation were high from the slugger. He had managed to hit 44 home runs last season. However, that is not the case this time around as he is hitting only .188 along with six home runs in 43 games this season.

Due to this, John Schneider had to make a decision to move him down in the lineup. He was pushed from the third spot to the fifth spot in Tuesday's game. Last weekend, Schneider had Santander hitting fifth for the game against the Tigers.

Schneider said that it will take the pressure off Santander and even allow the team to fully utilize the hitting ability of Daulton Varsho. Anthony Santander showed promise earlier this week as in Tuesday's game, he hit his sixth home run of the season.

That was amazing, Santander said. When you’re in a slump, your team having your back is amazing. That just gives you more energy to keep working and keep competing to help the team ... They’ve been with me since Day 1, Santander said. At the start of the season, when I was struggling, they were still having my back. That’s pretty cool.

The Toronto Blue Jays will need Santander to perform at his highest level in order to stay over .500. They are currently 25-25 after Friday's 3-1 loss to Tampa Bay Rays.