In a bid to reclaim his position within the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation, José Berríos has opened up about the difficulties he faced during the 2025 season. Struggling with a bicep injury and elbow inflammation, the seasoned pitcher was unexpectedly sidelined in September, marking the first time in his decade-long Major League Baseball career that he found himself on the injured list. As he enters spring training, Berríos is determined to turn the page and re-establish himself as a key player for the team.
A Season of Struggles
Berríos’ 2025 campaign was marred by physical setbacks, culminating in his demotion from the starting rotation in September. The 31-year-old expressed his frustration regarding the Blue Jays’ handling of the situation. Instead of staying in Toronto to support his teammates during the World Series, Berríos made the decision to return to Puerto Rico to be with his family.
“I couldn’t throw the ball,” Berríos reflected during a recent training session in Dunedin, Florida. “I had never been injured. Nobody wants to be on the injured list, so it was frustrating. I felt that being closer to my family was better for me.”
Despite his history as one of the most reliable starters in the league, Berríos found himself questioning his future with the organisation. However, the support of family and friends encouraged him to remain steadfast in his pursuit of redemption.
Mending Relationships
Recognising the need to address the situation head-on, Berríos recently reached out to Blue Jays management to express his regrets about his earlier decisions.
“I apologised [to management] because I think I might have made a bad decision to go back home,” he admitted. “Then I talked to some of the Latin guys and others close to me, and I apologised to them, too. Now I want to turn the page as fast as I can.”
In a show of goodwill, Berríos addressed his teammates at the beginning of spring training, signalling his intention to rebuild trust and camaraderie. The Blue Jays have also acknowledged that they could have approached the situation with greater sensitivity.
“He is so well respected for what he has done here and throughout his career that we are glad to be in a better place,” remarked Blue Jays manager John Schneider. “He just needed to get past it. He said he is moving on, and hopefully, we are moving on too. When you are around someone so much, it is easy to give them a mulligan.”
Competing for a Spot
Berríos’ return to the team comes at a time when competition for a starting role is fierce, especially following the Blue Jays’ acquisition of free agents Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce during the offseason. Cease, who signed the most lucrative contract in franchise history—seven years for US$210 million—adds significant pressure on Berríos, who ended the 2025 season with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.301 WHIP across 30 starts.
In addition to Cease and Ponce, who posted an impressive 17-1 record with a 1.89 ERA in the Korean major leagues, the rotation also includes established names like Kevin Gausman and Trey Yesavage, along with Shane Bieber, who may not be ready for the start of the season.
“I’m a competitor, and my goal is to keep doing what I have to do,” Berríos asserted. “I’ve been thinking about it since the end of last season. They signed two starting pitchers, and I’m a starting pitcher too. But in all the time I have been in Toronto, I have never had a guarantee. I have worked very hard to earn my spot on the team. I have never come to spring training and said, ‘Oh, I will be one of the five men in the rotation.’ I have to earn that spot, and that’s why I’m here.”
Why it Matters
Berríos’ journey reflects the broader challenges athletes face when navigating injuries and the pressures of high-stakes competition. His story serves as a reminder of the importance of resilience, both personally and professionally. As he strives to reclaim his position within the Blue Jays’ rotation, his commitment to improving relationships with teammates and management underscores the significance of teamwork and communication in sports. For fans and analysts alike, Berríos’ performance this season will be pivotal—not just for the Blue Jays, but also in shaping the narrative of a player determined to rise from adversity.
