Discouraging update on Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Anthony Santander

At the time, Santander was slashing just .179/.273/.304 with six home runs and a .577 OPS.

Through his first 178 plate appearances with the Blue Jays, he has hit only six home runs and five doubles, producing an underwhelming .315 slugging percentage.

He has knocked in only 18 runs, providing little impact in the middle of the order.

On Friday, before the Phillies game, manager John Schneider provided an encouraging update:

Santander has resumed «light baseball activity,» including gentle throwing and some swings, but the club is being cautious-expecting his return timeline to trail Daulton Varsho's.

"It's light catch, swinging a bit. I think he'll be a little bit longer than Varsho, to be honest with you," Schneider said via MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

Santander's season has been a struggle-far removed from his powerful output in Baltimore and hampered by inconsistency at the plate.

A full recovery and return in top form would inject a needed power presence into the lineup and offer Toronto another veteran bat for the playoff push.

A healthy Santander this summer could be the spark the Blue Jays need to transform their current momentum into sustained contention.

In the meantime, Toronto, currently second in the AL East with a 38-31 record, will hope to keep its momentum alive in Santander's absence.

Will the Blue Jays be able to keep up their winning ways over the long haul without Santander in the lineup?

Tell us what you think in the poll below.