DUNEDIN, Fla. — The mystery of José Berríos’ 2025 season continues to be revealed. His 2026, though, remains one of the Toronto Blue Jays’ looming questions.
Berríos said on Monday that by this time last year, he already had doubts about his health. The righty dealt with elbow issues in spring, he said, though he continued to pitch until he was placed on the injured list in September with biceps tendon issues.
“I just threw that way all year long,” Berríos said.
In contrast, after throwing 47 pitches in his spring debut on Sunday, Berríos said he is fully healthy. He hopes that newfound health gives him a shot to participate in the World Baseball Classic. The Jays hope it makes him a rotation bedrock again.
“Today,” Berríos said, “I had nothing in my mind. It was clear. Thank God, I’m back. I’m healthy.”
José Berríos has made at least 30 starts in seven consecutive full seasons. (Kim Klement Neitzel / Imagn Images)
Berríos’ latest revelation came days after he apologized for leaving the Jays ahead of last year’s World Series. His absence, the veteran said earlier this spring, was because he wanted to continue his rehab alongside his family in Puerto Rico. He stopped throwing until November, giving his elbow time to recover before ramping up for 2026.
Clearly, Berríos’ injury issue didn’t fully sabotage his 2025 season. He was still healthy enough to make 30 starts and post a 4.17 ERA — a mark that was better than league average when adjusted for park factors. It’s likely not the first time Berríos pitched through pain during his career. He’s made at least 30 starts in his past seven seasons, excluding the shortened 2020 campaign. Berríos takes pride in his durability, earning the nickname La Mákina — The Machine.
But Berríos’ arm issue could explain some of his struggles. Perhaps it’s why he scuffled in the season’s second half, posting a 5.15 ERA over his final 11 outings. It could also explain his drop in velocity, though that’s trended down over the past three seasons. Having pitched through an arm issue to help the team could also explain why Berríos was so frustrated when he lost his starting spot in September.
“He was not happy,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in the offseason. “He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation.”
Either way, both Berríos and the Blue Jays hope those injury concerns are behind him. The slow trickle of his 2025 troubles won’t win the Jays any games in 2026. He can only help that cause on the mound.
Berríos threw 2 2/3 innings against the New York Mets on Monday, allowing two earned runs while striking out two. His sinker sat at 91.2 mph, even lower than his 2025 average, though it was just his first spring start, and it was only 11 degrees Celsius at first pitch. Getting that velocity up could be key for Berríos this year. From 2021 through 2024, Berríos’ primary pitch averaged between 93.4 and 93.8 mph. Last year, it dropped to 92.2.
Either way, Berríos viewed Monday’s outing as a success. He proved to himself that he’s returned to health and hopes it’s enough to allow him to join Puerto Rico in the WBC. Insurance issues prevented Berríos from joining Puerto Rico’s initial roster. He’s built up to 65 pitches already this spring, though, hoping to join Puerto Rico in the tournament’s second round if a path to insurance arrives.
“They have to see me and evaluate me,” Berríos said, “if I’m healthy.”
Berríos has been a pitching staple for Puerto Rico in the past three WBC tournaments. The Jays need him as a starting staple this season, too. Despite a seemingly full rotation, Toronto has some pitching durability questions after a long postseason run. Kevin Gausman set a career-high in innings last year. Trey Yesavage had a massive innings jump in his first professional season. Shane Bieber’s season is already delayed as he comes back from forearm fatigue.
At his best, Berríos is one of baseball’s best innings eaters. The Jays will certainly have some frames for La Mákina to munch up — if healthy.