Sánchez (right ankle) joins Single-A Dunedin for rehab assignment

BOSTON -- Jesús Sánchez is back in game action down in Single-A Dunedin, putting him on track to potentially return to the Blue Jays by next weekend.

After going 1-for-3 in a Florida Complex League game on Thursday, this was Sánchez’s first game back with a full-season affiliate as he rehabs his right ankle sprain. Nearly a month ago, in late June, Sánchez jammed his foot awkwardly on the bottom of the outfield wall while he was backpedalling for a catch.

Here’s everything you need to know about Sánchez’s rehab.

How did he perform?

Sánchez played five innings in left field in the first half of Dunedin’s Saturday doubleheader and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a run scored.

Also appearing in that game was veteran reliever Yimi García, who has been stuck in a long rehab process this season with multiple pauses along the way. García threw a scoreless inning with one strikeout, but his fastball averaged just 92.9 mph, below where it’s been in the big leagues (96 mph). He’ll continue to build back up in hopes of returning this season.

What’s next?

Sánchez could see a bit more action in Dunedin, given that he can continue to work on his rehab at the Blue Jays’ player development complex across town. Once he’s ready, though, Sánchez will likely shoot right up to Triple-A Buffalo for his final tune-up before returning to the Blue Jays.

What are they saying?

When Sánchez returns, there’s no sense easing him back in or limiting his reps. The Blue Jays want that bat right back in the lineup.

“We want him to play,” manager John Schneider said pre-game Saturday. “Hopefully, he’ll generate some offense and get a chance to play pretty consistently.”

What else?

Sánchez has one year of arbitration remaining after this season, so while he’s not the most obvious trade candidate by any means, everything has to be on the table ahead of the Deadline for the Blue Jays. Sánchez is making $6.8 million this season and is due for one last raise heading into ‘27.

Acquired this spring for Joey Loperfido, Sánchez represented a swing on upside and power by the Blue Jays. At times, it’s worked, but Sánchez’s seven home runs and .753 OPS over 73 games haven’t done much to change the trajectory of the Blue Jays’ lineup. Sánchez’s bat has also been dragged down by his defense, with a team-worst Fielding Run Value of -7.

Trades could clear the way for Sánchez to play nearly every night down the stretch, though, and that could be useful for a Blue Jays organization which needs to assess its outfield heading into 2027. The front office is facing trade decisions on Daulton Varsho and George Springer, and if Myles Straw sticks around, he has an $8 million team option ($1.75 million buyout) for them to consider.

If Sánchez can return and play out the final 50-plus games, that should help to inform the Blue Jays’ offseason. It’s already clear they’ll need a center fielder -- ideally a long-term option like Varsho represented these past few years -- but that need could spill into the corner spots, too.