Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos has undergone Tommy John surgery, meaning he’ll be out for the entire 2026 season and likely much of 2027. Initially, he was on the 15-day injured list, but he’ll move to the 60-day IL soon.
Berríos has faced a tough injury journey. Up until last year, he was highly durable, making 32 starts each season from 2018 to 2024, and 12 during the shortened 2020 season. In 2025, he made 31 appearances but ended up on the injured list due to elbow issues—his first time on the IL in the majors.
While Berríos seemed healthy in spring training, a routine physical for the World Baseball Classic showed elbow inflammation. Further tests revealed a stress fracture, complicating things. Despite not feeling pain, the injury needed surgery after tests showed it had damaged his ulnar collateral ligament.
This diagnosis brings a long recovery ahead. Typically, Tommy John surgeries require over a year before a pitcher can return. Berríos might not be back until around the 2027 All-Star break.
In 2021, he signed a seven-year deal worth $131 million with the Blue Jays. This contract allowed him to opt out after the 2026 season. However, given his recent struggles and this injury, he will likely play out the rest of the contract.
The Blue Jays have been grappling with rotation issues. They initially had several starters like Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease, and Max Scherzer, but injuries have left them scrambling. Berríos, along with other key players, started the season on the injured list, revealing significant depth problems.
In the past year, other pitchers like Bowden Francis and Lazaro Estrada have also faced injuries, further depleting the team’s roster. With Eric Lauer struggling, they’ve turned to bullpen games and younger pitchers from Triple-A.
The loss of Berríos puts pressure on the Blue Jays as they evaluate their pitching options. They may need to look for external solutions. Current options on the market aren’t promising, as teams are not actively trading right now.
Looking ahead, the Jays will need to rethink their pitching strategy. Key pitchers like Gausman and Scherzer will also be free agents after 2026. The team could be in search of more arms, especially with Berríos now out of the mix.
Rumor has it that some younger pitchers, like those currently at Triple-A, could step up, but there are gaps in their roster. The Blue Jays may need to make moves in the upcoming offseason to strengthen their rotation.
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