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(Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)
Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher José Berríos struggled through the 2025 MLB season. On Sept. 25, he was placed on the injured list with right elbow inflammation, marking the first time in his MLB career he missed time due to injury, and he was unable to return during Toronto’s run to the World Series.
Meanwhile, the injured list move came just days after the longtime starter was shifted to the bullpen as the Blue Jays adjusted their pitching plans for the playoffs, a decision Berrios said at the time did not sit well.
Berríos finished the season with 9-5 record and a 4.17 ERA across 166 innings in 31 appearances, per StatMuse. Notably, it marked the fewest starts and innings Berríos logged in a full season since 2017. Additionally, he has a player opt-out after the 2026 season.
Nonetheless, the veteran starting pitcher will be looking for a bounce-back season. MLB insider Jon Morosi shared the latest regarding the Blue Jays player and his outlook in the team’s starting rotation as spring training nears.
“The idea right now, José Berríos is ready to go for the start of spring training,” Morosi said on MLB Network on Feb. 9. “I was told just today no restrictions on him from a standpoint of his health to get ready for the Blue Jays. The only question, of course, is will there be a rotation spot?
“If he has a solid beginning to spring and is able to start the year healthy, I have to expect that he does have a claim on a rotation spot, especially when you consider the Jays likely don’t have [Trey] Yesavage penciled in for 180 or 190 innings, especially when you consider where Yesavage’s workload has been in the past.”
Could Blue Jays’ José Berríos Pitch in the WBC?
Moreover, Morosi dropped an interesting nugget that Berríos could be playing in the World Baseball Classic despite not being part of the initial list for Team Puerto Rico.
“The one thing I will say with Berríos is it is possible, possible that even though he was not part of the initial list of Team Puerto Rico pitchers for the Classic, he could still be added to the designated pitching pool to be added in later rounds if Puerto Rico should advance,” Morosi added.
“So stay tuned there as one possibility. But the key news for the Jays, unlike the end of last season, is Berríos is healthy and ready to go. My analysis here: If he has a solid spring for the Jays or Team Puerto Rico, he’ll be in the rotation when the regular season begins.”
Trey Yesavage Ready for Full Year In the Majors
As for the 2026 season, Yesavage is ready to turn the page and focus on this upcoming campaign, and he recently stated the improvements to his pitching style as he prepares for his first full season in the majors.
“I’m just playing around with the grip, seeing what feels the most comfortable and seeing how I can most naturally throw my curveball,” Yesavage said on Jan. 28 (h/t Sportsnet). “I have a funky arm angle, so I’ve just got to play around with it.”
Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo
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