Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Monday that pitcher Jose Berrios made the decision not be with the team for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in October.
Atkins was asked whether Berrios’ absence had to with the right elbow injury that ended his season, or rehab related to the injury.
“He was not happy,” Atkins said, per MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson. “He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation. He handled it well, but then when it came down to roster selection, he wasn’t on it.”
Berrios did not appear in the postseason after being placed on the injured list late in the year with right elbow inflammation. The 31-year-old righty went 9-5 during the regular season with a 4.17 ERA and was moved to the bullpen down the stretch, a decision that also did not sit well with him, according to Matheson.
“It’s always tough when someone of his pedigree is not in the rotation,” Atkins explained of the late-season move. “I’m sure he was not excited with that decision. Having to be the one who makes it makes it very difficult. I’d describe the relationship as solid, professional.”
Berrios is under team control at a salary of $19 million for 2026 season before having an opt-out clause next winter. Should he elect not to opt out, Berrios is signed for another two years at an annual salary of $24 million.
His future with the Blue Jays is murky after Toronto spent big to add free-agent Dylan Cease last month and also added starter Cody Ponce on a three-year deal. Those two join returning starters Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and Eric Lauer, who saw 15 starts among his 28 appearances in 2025.
Berrios has a career record of 108-82 with a 4.08 ERA over 10 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and Blue Jays. He went 16-11 with a 3.60 ERA in 2024 and 11-12 with a 3.65 ERA in 2023.