Some may say Bieber’s 2025 was tainted due to him surrendering the World Series-winning home run to catcher Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers, but he was otherwise a reliable arm throughout Toronto’s playoff run and late in the regular season.
In the regular season, Bieber started seven games and threw 40.1 innings in which he allowed just seven walks and 34 hits (1.02 WHIP).
Similar to Yesavage, Bieber will be treated with care and caution due to the lengthy recovery process that he’s already undergone over the last two years. When healthy, Bieber is a very talented pitcher that the Jays would love to have back in their rotation, considering the rest of the injuries they’re dealing with. Upon his return, he’ll be a breath of fresh air for this team.
Bieber has a high ceiling and hasn’t posted an ERA above 4.00 since his rookie season in 2018, but he also hasn’t been able to throw more than 100 innings since 2023.
The key to Bieber’s success is to stay healthy and allow his consistency to be on full display. He doesn’t have an arsenal that’ll blow hitters away, but he’s crafty and stays around the strike zone, and his talents are sorely missed in Toronto’s rotation.
Berríos’ Healthy Streak Ends
TORONTO, CANADA – APRIL 1: José Berríos #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches in the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Rogers Centre on April 1, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Cole Burston/Getty Images)
José Berríos has been the epitome of a consistent starter over his career, making 30+ starts in every full season (excl. 2020) since 2018. He was acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the 2021 trade deadline in exchange for a package of prospects and went on to start three of four Opening Day games from 2022 to 2025.
He went down this spring with a stress fracture in his right elbow, which landed him on the Jays’ 15-day IL. He wasn’t a part of the team’s playoff run last season either due to right elbow inflammation, so his only postseason outing as a Blue Jay was in their 2023 Wild Card Series loss to his former team.
Coming into the 2026 season, Berríos’ future as a Blue Jay was uncertain due to their acquisitions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce.