The Toronto Blue Jays have publicly condemned outfielder Anthony Santander for sharing controversial posts on social media that targeted Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, according to reports. The posts, which appeared on Santander's Instagram story, included captions such as "America voted for Sharia Last Night," and "Islam is not peaceful."
Santander's comments surfaced following El-Sayed's victory over Republican opponent Mike Rogers in a closely contested Michigan Senate race. El-Sayed is poised to become the first Muslim U.S. Senator when he takes office in January.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Blue Jays asserted that Santander's individual comments do not represent the organization's values. "Baseball is for everyone and the Blue Jays have created an inclusive experience where all fans feel welcome at our ballpark," the statement read. "Individual comments do not represent our organization’s values and beliefs."
Before being removed, Santander's posts were captured and circulated on social media, drawing significant backlash from Toronto fans. This incident echoes a previous controversy involving the Blue Jays, when pitcher Anthony Bass was released in 2023 after sharing an anti-LGBTQ+ post. At the time, the team cited "baseball decisions" for Bass's departure, though the timing followed the social media controversy.
Santander is currently under a five-year contract with the Blue Jays worth $92.5 million, with three years remaining. His tenure with the team has been marked by injuries and diminished performance, playing in only 54 games since the 2025 postseason and posting a .175 batting average with six home runs and 18 RBIs.