The Toronto Blue Jays’ starting rotation is flush with talented pitchers which will lead to some difficult decisions before the regular season begins.
The Blue Jays have eight starters vying for roughly five rotation spots, and multiple spots are already practically accounted for by Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman and Shane Bieber, once he returns from injury. One player fighting for a spot in the rotation is two-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner José Berríos.
Berríos, 31, dealt with right elbow inflammation in September which resulted in a move to the bullpen before the playoffs. The right-handed hurler was later left off of the Blue Jays’ postseason roster and was absent from the team due to frustration during their World Series run.
Berríos has apologized since, and addressed Toronto’s crowded rotation after another strong spring training appearance.
“There were a lot of good things,” Berríos said, per MLB.com’s Steve Kornacki. “My stamina, (no) health issues. I pitched strong and went up another four innings. That’s good for me. We have a lot of good Jays starting pitchers. For sure, we are eight right now competing for five spots on the roster. So, I got that on my mind. I know I’ve got to do my work out there. Be me. Be consistent. And just keep competing out there. Overall, it was a great outing.”
Berríos has been making a strong case to secure a rotation spot this spring, posting a 3.38 ERA in 10 2/3 innings pitcher, with Blue Jays manger John Schneider sharing high praise for the former All-Star..
“I loved the velo,” Schneider said, per Kornacki. “I loved the location. I loved the conviction and the breaking ball. That was something coming into camp that he really wanted to focus on. I want him feeling healthy, which he is. And, two, getting back to that breaking ball that’s a little bit bigger with a little more sweep, a little more action down and in to lefties, down and away to righties. So, it was a really, really great outing for him. … And he was really strong.”
Berríos had his struggles during the 2025 season, posting a 4.17 ERA across 31 appearances, and has made over 30 starts for the Blue Jays in each of the past four seasons. He could step up and provide Toronto with some much-needed consistency, especially with the team already dealing with multiple injuries to pitchers.
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