Blue Jays' Anthony Santander's runway for a big-league return is getting a little bit shorter.

Anthony Santander waited for two months. Toronto's most significant offseason acquisition couldn't swing a bat in June or July as he recovered from a partial dislocation and labrum issues in his left shoulder.

Santander was frustrated and disappointed, manager John Schneider said. But in the last two weeks, the switch-hitting slugger «made a lot of progress» and could work his way back into the Jays' 2025 plans.

Santander is with the team in Toronto, hitting off a high-velocity pitching machine. The next step in his progression would be a return to live pitching for the first time in months. After that, rehab games.

It's the first promising progress in Santander's recovery, but, as Schneider acknowledged, the runway for a big-league return is «getting a little bit shorter.»

Toronto's High-A affiliate has just 10 games left in the season, and the Triple-A Bisons end Sept. 21st, those are the usual two stops for any rehabbing hitter.

For Santander to take part in any significant rehab assignment, he'll need to progress to games within the next few weeks. It's possible, but any delay or setback could quash hope of a return.

Santander's fit in Toronto's lineup, if he were to return, is unclear. George Springer, who homered twice in Tuesday's loss to the Minnesota Twins, is essentially the permanent designated hitter now, playing just two games in the field in the last month.

If Santander were to start, he'd likely push Springer back into regular outfield work or bump Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger or Davis Schneider from the outfield.

For a healthy and productive Santander, the Jays will make it work.

The 40-homer power that earned him a $92.5 million contract this winter still exists. But, he must find both, health and productivity to force that dilemma at all.