José Berríos’ Elbow Inflammation Sidelines Him from World Baseball Classic

DUNEDIN, Fla. – Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos was removed from consideration for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals due to inflammation in his right elbow, an MRI revealed. The injury initially caused him to be denied insurance coverage for participation in the tournament.

Initial Insurance Concerns and WBC Participation

Berríos was initially denied insurance due to health concerns, a common issue for several players considering participation in the WBC. The possibility of pitching for Puerto Rico, especially at home in front of his family, was a significant draw for Berríos. He expressed disappointment at missing the opportunity to pitch in front of his children, Valentina, Sebastian, and Diego Jose.

Despite the initial denial, Berríos received clearance and was set to join Puerto Rico for the quarterfinals, with manager Yadier Molina planning to use him in a piggyback role behind Seth Lugo. However, this plan was halted following the MRI results.

Elbow Inflammation and Treatment

The MRI revealed inflammation in Berríos’ right elbow. The Blue Jays confirmed a separate inflammation from what he experienced at the end of the 2025 season MLB.com. Berríos reported feeling strong and healthy prior to the diagnosis, making the news “weird.”

After consulting with Dr. Keith Meister, Berríos learned that surgery was not required. He is currently focused on building back his arm strength through a throwing program, with a bullpen session scheduled for next Friday. He hopes to miss no more than a month of the regular season.

Previous Injury History and 2025 Season

This marks Berríos’ first time opening a season on the injured list in his 10-year substantial-league career. In 2025, he posted a 3.83 ERA through his first 22 starts, but his performance dipped to a 5.31 ERA in his final nine outings before being sidelined with elbow inflammation. He controversially left the team before the World Series, an action he later apologized for this spring.

Durability and Future Outlook

Berríos has been a durable pitcher throughout his career, making 30 starts in each of the seven previous full seasons and 12 outings during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. He remains optimistic about his ability to maintain his health and continue his success on the mound. He is confident that the gains he made with his fastball and command during spring training will return once he is fully recovered.

“My breaking ball and changeup were there, too,” Berríos said. “I’ve been feeling pretty well, ready to compete and I was so close. So, just waiting for the lights to turn on.”