Blue Jays apologize to Muslim community and fans in wake of Santander’s posts

TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro says the team is deeply sorry to the Muslim community and the club’s fans for the harm caused by Islamophobic social media posts shared by outfielder Anthony Santander.

In a statement, Shapiro says team officials met with leaders in Toronto’s Muslim community, who shared the harm caused by the posts last week.

The club says the opportunity to listen and learn was important, and reaffirms the organization’s beliefs and values.

Santander shared anti-Muslim posts last week and deleted them two days later.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins recently said he spoke with Santander and asked him to publicly address his decision.

Santander, who signed a lucrative five-year deal with the team in January 2025, has yet to publicly comment or apologize.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 12, 2026.