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Jose Berrios Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios has received a brutal health update, as he may need to have surgery.

Berrios has been on the IL the entire season so far with an elbow injury. He was pitching in Triple-A Buffalo in an attempt to make a return to the big leagues, but he recently suffered a setback in his rehab, sending him back to the drawing board. Now, he may not return at all.

Jose Berrios Rough Health Update

Speaking to reporters ahead of Friday’s game against the Detroit Tigers, Blue Jays manager John Schneider admitted that Berrios may need to get surgery on his elbow, though the team has not made a final decision yet as they await the doctor’s orders.

“The #BlueJays are still working with José Berríos and doctors to reach a final decision on his elbow. Could have a final answer tomorrow. ‘Surgery is on the table.’ – John Schneider,” wrote Blue Jays reporter Keegan Matheson on X.

“John Schneider said today that, while he hasn’t been involved in every single conversation about José Berríos’ elbow, he doesn’t believe there is any ligament damage right now. This still sounds like the stress fracture. Schneider also mentioned ‘loose bodies’. #BlueJays,” Matheson added.

Blue Jays Need Rotation Help

The Blue Jays have had a rough start to the season, going just 19-25 through the first 44 games of the year. The lineup has struggled throughout, but the pitching staff has also been in rough shape because of numerous injuries to the team’s starting pitchers.

So far this year, the only Blue Jays’ starters who have made all of their starts on the bump are ace Kevin Gausman and prized free-agent acquisition Dylan Cease. Otherwise, the team’s starters have been banged up.

Veteran Max Scherzer had a terrible start to the year, and then he went on the IL with a forearm issue. Shane Bieber has not pitched at all due to forearm fatigue. Cody Ponce suffered an injury in his first start of the year and is out for the season. Trey Yesavage opened the season on the IL but recently returned to the team. And the Blue Jays recently cut Eric Lauer after he had a brutal season.

The Blue Jays did sign Patrick Corbin off the street, and he has performed surprisingly well for the team as they desperately needed his ability to eat innings. But he is not a high-end starter and is more of a stopgap for the Blue Jays than someone who will be here long term.

Unfortunately, Berrios has been hurt this year, as, despite his being on the decline in his career, he is still someone who has been one of the most durable pitchers in baseball for nearly the last decade. However, it feels like Berrios is now paying the price for making all of those starts in a row. We’ll see what the doctors ultimately say, but at this point, the Jays can’t count on Berrios returning to their rotation this year.