Blue Jays’ José Berríos to Undergo Elbow Evaluation

José Berríos Faces New Setback: Blue Jays Starter to Undergo Evaluation for Right Elbow Injury

The Toronto Blue Jays’ pitching rotation has hit another roadblock. José Berríos, a cornerstone of the team’s staff, is facing a concerning turn in his recovery from a right elbow stress fracture. After a series of struggling outings in Triple-A and a revealing MRI, the right-hander is scheduled to meet with renowned specialist Dr. Keith Meister on Tuesday for an in-person evaluation.

This development marks a frustrating chapter for Berríos, who has spent the early part of the year attempting to navigate an injury discovered in March during a routine MRI for World Baseball Classic insurance purposes. While the team initially viewed his progress as a rehab process, manager John Schneider noted it may be more accurate to say Berríos has been “pitching through” the issue.

MRI Results and Performance Decline

The urgency for a specialist’s visit follows an MRI conducted this past Tuesday. According to manager John Schneider, the imaging showed inflammation and “small changes to that initial injury.” This physical setback aligns with a visible decline in Berríos’ performance on the mound.

Over his last two Triple-A outings, Berríos struggled significantly. The most alarming signs were his velocity and endurance:

• Velocity Drop: Berríos, who typically pitches closer to 94 mph when at his best, saw his velocity hover just above 90 mph.
• Recent Struggles: In his most recent start on Sunday, he allowed seven runs and three home runs over only 3 2/3 innings.

Schneider admitted that the team had hoped the most recent outing would be a turning point, but instead, the performance remained stagnant, prompting the team to investigate physical causes for the decline.

The Erosion of “La Makina”

For nearly a decade, José Berríos established himself as one of Major League Baseball’s most durable and reliable starters. His ability to consistently deliver 185 innings over 32 starts per season earned him the nickname “La Makina” (the machine) during his tenure with the Twins.

However, the last eight months have been uncharacteristic for the veteran. Berríos ended the 2025 season with the first injured list (IL) stint of his big-league career. Adding to the tension, Berríos chose to remain away from the team during the World Series while on the IL, a decision for which he publicly apologized during Spring Training.

Rotation Ripple Effects and Team Depth

The Blue Jays are currently battling a depleted pitching staff, making Berríos’ health critical. The organization is already managing injuries to several key arms, including:

• Max Scherzer: Received a cortisone shot on Thursday and is sidelined from throwing for the next five days.
• Shane Bieber: Currently unavailable due to injury.
• Cody Ponce: Currently on the injury list.

While Berríos was expected to replace Eric Lauer in the rotation during the next cycle, Lauer will now likely retain his spot while the team awaits the results of Berríos’ evaluation with Dr. Meister.

Contractual Outlook and Future

Beyond the immediate health concerns, Berríos’ situation has long-term financial implications. He possesses a player opt-out clause in his contract following this season. However, he is owed $24 million in both 2027 and 2028.

Given the current instability of his health, staying with the Blue Jays to secure those remaining guarantees may be the most logical path for the pitcher. Despite the recent struggles, Berríos remains a respected figure in Toronto, having served as the Opening Day starter for the organization on three separate occasions.

The Blue Jays now wait for the evaluation results to determine if Berríos can return to his “machine-like” reliability or if a more prolonged recovery period is necessary.