As the MLB offseason hits its mid-December lull, the stove has cooled considerably. Most of the early moves are in the books, and now the market seems to be holding its breath, waiting on Kyle Tucker’s decision to shake things loose. But even in the quiet, there are a few storylines worth tracking-especially north of the border.
José Berríos Reveals He Pitched Through Arm Issues in 2025
Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos opened up recently about some of the struggles he faced this past season, revealing that he dealt with biceps and elbow issues throughout the year. That context helps explain his dip in performance, and it also adds some intrigue to his offseason plans. Berríos says he’s aiming to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic this spring-a sign he believes he’s trending toward full health.
That’s encouraging news for Toronto, especially considering the uncertainty in their rotation. Shane Bieber is working his way back from forearm fatigue, and spring training always brings a few surprises on the injury front.
Berríos currently sits sixth on the team’s starting pitching depth chart, but if he’s healthy and effective, there’s a strong chance he’ll be in the Opening Day mix. His experience and upside could be vital if the Jays want to stay competitive in a loaded AL East.
Cody Ponce Makes His Blue Jays Debut-At the Mic
Toronto also introduced one of their new arms this week, as Cody Ponce held his first press conference since signing with the team. Ponce came across as grounded and easy to root for, and fans might find themselves pulling for him even more after learning he has a pretty cool connection to another pro athlete-he’s the brother-in-law of 49ers star tight end George Kittle.
According to Ponce, Kittle has helped him “rediscover his inner child,” which honestly tracks if you’ve ever seen Kittle mic’d up on a Sunday. That kind of positive energy could go a long way in a long, grinding season. Whether Ponce breaks camp with the big league club or starts the year in Triple-A, he’s someone to keep an eye on.
Justin Bruihl Heads to Cleveland in Bullpen Shuffle
Reliever Justin Bruihl is on the move again, this time landing in Cleveland after being designated for assignment earlier in the week. The Blue Jays moved on from Bruihl to make room for Tyler Rogers, and with Brendon Little and Mason Fluharty ahead of him in the left-handed bullpen pecking order, there just wasn’t a clear path for him in Toronto.
Bruihl’s 5.27 ERA over 13.2 innings in 2025 doesn’t jump off the page, but some of the underlying numbers suggest he pitched better than that line indicates. The Guardians, who are dealing with a thinned-out bullpen-especially after some off-field issues-could offer Bruihl a real opportunity to carve out a role. It’s a low-risk move for Cleveland, and if Bruihl can find a groove, it might pay off.
Old Friends in New Places
A couple of familiar faces are popping up in new uniforms and dugouts:
- Jordan Romano has signed a $2 million deal with the Angels. After being DFA’d by the Blue Jays, Romano struggled mightily in Philadelphia, posting an 8.23 ERA over 42.2 innings before a finger injury ended his season. A fresh start in Los Angeles, away from the pressure cooker of the NL East, might be just what he needs to get back on track.
- The San Diego Padres unveiled their 2026 coaching staff, and it includes a trio of former Jays: Ryan Goins, Mike McCoy, and Randy Knorr-who served as the backup catcher during Toronto’s World Series run. It’s always good to see former players staying in the game and helping shape the next generation.
With just 100 days until Opening Day, the countdown is officially on. The snow may be falling outside, but for baseball fans, this is the part of winter when the itch starts to return.
The rosters are still in flux, the rotations are far from settled, and there are plenty of decisions left to be made. But even in the quiet moments of the offseason, there are signs of life-and reminders that spring isn’t as far away as it feels.