José Berríos, the Toronto Blue Jays pitcher, was supposed to join team Puerto Rico for the World Baseball Classic. However, plans changed when a physical revealed elbow inflammation. While an MRI showed no major damage, it was unexpected since Berríos felt no pain. Now, he’s set to see Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday for a closer examination. Until then, he won’t be throwing.
So far, there’s no sign of a significant injury. At 31, Berríos has a strong track record, having started every season since he joined Major League Baseball. He’s been one of the most reliable pitchers, leading the league in games started and innings pitched since 2018. Even during the shortened 2020 season, he managed to start all 12 games. His durability has been impressive, but the Blue Jays’ new signings have clouded his future with the team.
This offseason, the Blue Jays signed several pitchers, moving Berríos down the rotation. With players like Dylan Cease and Max Scherzer joining, he finds himself in a crowded field. Current rotation members also include Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, and others, making it hard to identify a clear spot for him.
Bieber has been dealing with forearm fatigue but is currently throwing again, suggesting he might start the season on the 15-day injured list. However, the rest of the pitchers appear healthy. On the bright side, Berríos still has time to prove himself, especially after a decent 2022 season where he posted a 4.17 ERA over 166 innings.
Trading Berríos seemed like a possibility this winter, but it’s complicated. He’s in the fifth year of a seven-year contract and is due about $66 million over the next three years. His contract includes an opt-out after the 2026 season, giving him leverage. A trade would also require him to waive an eight-team no-trade clause, which will become less significant once he reaches 10 years of service in the league.
Right now, Berríos’ health situation puts him in a tricky position. If he ends up on the injured list, he could join Bieber there, leaving Toronto with a rotation led by Cease, Gausman, and Scherzer. It’s possible not all eight pitchers will be healthy at the same time, making depth an advantage for the team. If Berríos and Bieber return by mid-April, the Blue Jays will face some tough decisions on who to start.
As the situation unfolds, it highlights the increasingly competitive nature of MLB rotations today. According to a recent survey, teams are increasingly prioritizing pitchers with versatility in roles, which is a challenge for traditional starters like Berríos. Understanding how injuries and performance affect team dynamics will be key to following the Blue Jays this season.
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