Toronto was ecstatic to land closer Sergio Santos and his team-friendly contract from the White Sox this winter, but the early returns have been awful.
Santos allowed six hits, four walks and five earned runs in five innings of relief before landing on the 15-day disabled list in late April with inflammation in his right shoulder. He hasn’t returned since, and can now be ruled out for the rest of the 2012 campaign.
According to beat writer Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com, Santos is scheduled to undergo season-ending surgery on his right shoulder later this week. The Blue Jays are optimistic that he’ll be back near 100 percent health for the start of the spring training next February, but there’s no guarantee.
The converted outfielder registered a 3.55 ERA and 13.1 K/9 in 63 1/3 innings last season, converting 30 saves in 36 chances. He’s making just $1 million this year and owed only $6.5 million total through 2014.