Blue Jays GM condemns Santander’s anti-Muslim posts

On November 10, 2026, Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins criticized Anthony Santander after the outfielder shared anti-Muslim videos on social media following last week’s U.S. midterm elections. Santander later removed the videos from his accounts, and the team has not said whether he will make a public statement about them.

One video featured a Christian pastor asserting that Muslims could not be kind. Another suggested that Sharia law would be mandated in the United States after Abdul El-Sayed’s election to the Senate. Atkins said he had spoken with Santander about the impact of his words and the responsibility that comes with his public profile.

The Blue Jays said the posts did not reflect the organization’s values and emphasized that it aims to make baseball welcoming to everyone. Atkins said the team works to maintain an inclusive environment and that Santander’s conduct fell short of those standards. He said he had urged Santander to speak publicly, while adding that he did not want to speak on the player’s behalf.

Santander, who is from Venezuela, signed with the Blue Jays before the 2025 season after joining the organization as an amateur free agent in 2011 at age 16. Injuries have limited him to 54 games over the past two seasons.

Blue Jays GM rebukes Santander over anti-Muslim posts

The Blue Jays’ response to Anthony Santander’s anti-Muslim social media posts puts the focus where it belongs: on the harm such content can cause and on the responsibility of a prominent player. On November 10, 2026, general manager Ross Atkins condemned the videos, which Santander shared after last week’s U.S. midterm elections and later deleted.

One video included a pastor claiming Muslims could not be kind; another suggested Sharia law would follow Abdul El-Sayed’s election to the Senate. Atkins said he had spoken with Santander about his reach and the need to recognize the effects of his behavior. The team said the posts did not represent its values and stressed that it seeks to welcome all fans.

Atkins said he urged Santander to address the matter publicly, while declining to speak for him. The club’s stated commitment to inclusion makes the gap between its values and the posts especially significant. Santander joined the Blue Jays before the 2025 season; injuries have restricted him to 54 games over the past two seasons.

Atkins condemns Santander posts as Blue Jays stress inclusion

The Blue Jays have made clear that Anthony Santander’s anti-Muslim social media posts crossed a line for the organization. On November 10, 2026, general manager Ross Atkins condemned the videos, shared after last week’s U.S. midterm elections and later deleted, and said he had spoken with Santander about his responsibility as a public figure.

One video featured a pastor saying Muslims could not be kind. Another suggested Sharia law would be mandated in the United States after Abdul El-Sayed won a Senate seat. The team said baseball should welcome everyone and that individual comments do not represent its beliefs. Atkins said Santander’s behavior did not align with the club’s values.

Atkins also said he urged Santander to speak publicly, though he would not speak for the player. The episode puts the team’s stated standards and a player’s public conduct in direct tension. Santander signed with Toronto before the 2025 season, after joining the organization as a teenager in 2011; injuries have limited him to 54 games over the past two seasons.