DUNEDIN, Fla. - José Berríos is turning the page on a challenging 2025 season, and the Toronto Blue Jays are hopeful for a fresh start in 2026.
Reflecting on last year, Berríos admitted he had lingering doubts about his health, battling elbow issues throughout the spring. Despite these concerns, he pushed through until a biceps tendon injury landed him on the injured list in September. "I just threw that way all year long," he shared, highlighting his determination.
Fast forward to this spring, and Berríos is feeling rejuvenated. After a 47-pitch outing in his spring debut, he declared himself fully healthy.
This newfound wellness might even pave his way to the World Baseball Classic, while the Jays are eager for him to reclaim his spot as a rotation mainstay. "Today, I had nothing in my mind.
It was clear. Thank God, I’m back.
I’m healthy," Berríos expressed.
Berríos recently apologized for leaving the team before last year’s World Series, choosing to continue his rehab with family in Puerto Rico. He paused his throwing regimen until November to allow his elbow to heal, gearing up for the 2026 season.
Despite the setbacks, Berríos managed to make 30 starts in 2025, posting a 4.17 ERA, which was above league average when adjusted for park factors. His durability has been a hallmark throughout his career, earning him the nickname La Mákina - The Machine.
However, the arm troubles might explain his second-half struggles, where he recorded a 5.15 ERA over his final 11 outings and experienced a drop in velocity, a trend over the past few seasons. His frustration was palpable when he lost his starting spot in September.
"He was not happy," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins noted. "He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation."
Both Berríos and the Blue Jays are eager to leave those injury woes behind. His past issues won't win games in 2026, but his presence on the mound could make a difference.
In his recent outing against the New York Mets, Berríos pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing two earned runs and striking out two. His sinker clocked in at 91.2 mph, slightly down from his 2025 average, though it's early days in spring training and the conditions were chilly. Regaining velocity could be crucial for Berríos, as his primary pitch averaged between 93.4 and 93.8 mph from 2021 to 2024, dropping to 92.2 last year.
Despite the reduced speed, Berríos saw the outing as a positive step. He’s already built up to 65 pitches this spring, aiming to join Puerto Rico in the WBC if insurance hurdles are cleared. "They have to see me and evaluate me if I’m healthy," he explained.
Berríos has been a key player for Puerto Rico in past WBC tournaments, and the Blue Jays are counting on him to anchor their rotation this season. While the team boasts a seemingly full rotation, there are durability questions following a long postseason. Kevin Gausman logged a career-high in innings last year, Trey Yesavage experienced a significant workload increase, and Shane Bieber is recovering from forearm fatigue.
La Mákina is ready to rev up again - if he stays healthy.