Blue Jays' Berrios Faces Uncertain Role After Elbow Surgery

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Monday, February 9th 2026 at 11:52 GMT by Sporting News
      Locales: CANADA, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC, UNITED STATES

Blue Jays' Berrios: Beyond the Elbow - A Rotation Gamble with Playoff Implications

The Toronto Blue Jays enter the 2026 spring training with a cloud of uncertainty hanging over veteran right-hander Jose Berrios. The question isn't if Berrios will be on the roster - that's almost a certainty given his contract and past performance - but how the Blue Jays will utilize a pitcher still recovering from significant elbow surgery. The team faces a complex decision: can they reliably depend on Berrios as a consistent starting pitcher, or will they be forced to relegate him to a more specialized, potentially less impactful role?

The core of the dilemma stems from the right elbow surgery Berrios underwent in late May 2023. While reports suggest a positive recovery, the specter of diminished velocity, stamina, and overall effectiveness looms large. Pitching, especially at the major league level, is a demanding physical endeavor, and returning to form after elbow reconstruction is never guaranteed. The Blue Jays, acutely aware of this, are proceeding with caution, acknowledging the need for thorough evaluation during spring training.

Manager John Schneider's comments - "We're going to monitor him and see where he's at. We want him to be as good as he can be, whether that's starting or in another role" - highlight the team's pragmatic approach. It's a far cry from outright pronouncements of Berrios's guaranteed spot in the rotation, suggesting a real possibility that the Jays are exploring contingency plans.

The potential alternatives are multifaceted. The "opener" role, where a pitcher handles the first inning or two, is gaining traction across MLB as a way to navigate around inconsistent starting pitching and leverage favorable matchups. For Berrios, this could be a soft landing, allowing him to contribute without the demands of a full starting workload. He could potentially focus on high-leverage innings, utilizing his best pitches early before handing the reins to a long reliever. However, this role carries its own limitations, often restricting a pitcher's opportunity to build momentum and complete games.

A more traditional relief role is also on the table. While potentially diminishing his overall value, it would allow the Blue Jays to deploy Berrios in critical situations, leveraging his experience and stuff against opposing lineups. The bullpen is a volatile landscape, and a proven starter, even one with questions surrounding his endurance, could be a significant asset in close games. The Blue Jays have invested heavily in building a strong bullpen, and adding Berrios to the mix could create a formidable late-game presence, provided he accepts and embraces the role.

The ramifications of this decision extend beyond a single player's career trajectory. The Blue Jays, widely considered contenders in the American League East, are aiming for a deep playoff run. A reliable Berrios would bolster a rotation that, while possessing established stars, lacks consistent depth. If Berrios falters, the pressure will fall on younger arms like Ricky Tiedemann and Bowden Francis to step up, and the Blue Jays may be forced to actively seek out pitching help via trade or free agency - a potentially costly endeavor.

Spring training will be the ultimate proving ground. The Blue Jays' coaching staff will meticulously monitor Berrios's velocity, command, and stamina. They'll be watching for any signs of discomfort or regression, assessing his ability to pitch deep into games with consistent effectiveness. Beyond the raw numbers, they'll be evaluating his mental approach and how he adapts to potentially changing roles. The team needs to see not just that he can throw, but how he throws under pressure and if he can still command a diverse array of pitches.

The situation is further complicated by the shifting landscape of modern baseball. Teams are increasingly prioritizing pitch counts and limiting starter workloads to prevent injuries. Even healthy pitchers rarely complete games, and the line between starter and reliever is becoming increasingly blurred. The Blue Jays may be willing to experiment with unconventional approaches to maximize Berrios's contributions, even if it means redefining his role.

Ultimately, the Blue Jays' decision regarding Jose Berrios will be a calculated gamble. They must balance the potential reward of a revitalized starter with the risk of relying on a pitcher who may not be fully recovered. The stakes are high, and the outcome could very well determine the Blue Jays' chances of contention in a fiercely competitive AL East.