Toronto Blue Jays Michael Saunders

saunders during 2016 spring training

on february 25, saunders stepped on sprinkler head while shagging fly balls , tore meniscus. initially, expectation saunders on disabled list until all-star break. however, after having surgery remove 60% of meniscus, estimate reduced 4–6 weeks. assigned advanced-a dunedin blue jays rehab assignment on april 8. after blue jays lost 12–3 tampa bay rays on april 24, saunders activated off disabled list. experienced discomfort in knee in may, missing several games after having fluid drained , receiving cortisone injection. saunders returned line-up on may 9, placed on 15-day disabled list following day rest knee. after remaining on disabled list august, saunders officially shut down remainder of 2015 season on august 18. appeared in 9 games blue jays, batting .194 3 rbi.

on january 15, 2016, saunders , blue jays avoided salary arbitration agreeing one-year, $2.9 million contract. in 13–3 win on baltimore orioles on june 17, saunders hit 3 home runs first time in career, , joined joey votto, justin morneau, , larry walker canadian players hit 3 in game , becoming first canadian team. had 8 rbi in game, established career-high. saunders named 1 of 5 candidates all-star game final vote campaign on july 5. announced final vote winner on july 8. after all-star break, saunders struggled .178 batting average, 8 home runs, , 15 rbi. despite poor second half of season, saunders still established several career-highs in 2016. ended campaign .253 batting average, 24 home runs, , 57 rbi in 140 games played. appeared in 8 postseason games blue jays, , hit .381 1 home run , rbi.