The Toronto Blue Jays have been hit with the injury bug more than arguably any other team in the American League, particularly on the pitching side of things.
The Blue Jays have five starting pitchers either miss time or who are currently out due to various injuries. Only one of those pitchers, Trey Yesavage, has returned from his initial injured list stint.
Toronto is still waiting to see whether its injury luck for the starting pitchers will get better or worse.
Right-handed pitcher Jose Berrios has been out the entire season due to a right elbow stress fracture. He ended last season on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation and missed the final two weeks of the regular season and all of the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.
Berrios made three starts in spring training before landing back on the shelf.
Berrios looked to be progressing towards a return. He was placed on a rehab assignment April 16 and made two starts with the Single-A Dunedin Blue Jays and another two with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.
Berrios struggled on his rehab assignment. He posted a 10.67 ERA and struck out 11 hitters in 14.1 innings pitched across his four starts. He allowed 17 earned runs on 19 hits (six home runs).
Berrios' velocity noticeably declined in his last rehab outing with Buffalo on May 3 and he was pulled from his assignment to undergo further testing.
According to a post on "X" from the Athletic's Mitch Bannon, Berrios was visiting notable orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister for further testing Tuesday. More details about the visit and the team and Berrios' next steps will likely be known Wednesday.
Before Berrios' injury troubles, he was set for a shift in his role on the team after a disappointing season last year.
In 2025, Berrios posted a 4.17 ERA and fanned 138 hitters in 166 innings pitched across 31 appearances (30 starts). He was scheduled to move to the bullpen for the final two weeks of the regular season with Yesavage's major league call-up.
Berrios' in a potential "utility pitcher" role would be a massive benefit to Toronto this season with its list of injuries. The pitcher that the Blue Jays did have in that role, Eric Lauer, was designated for assignment Monday.
Toronto Blue Jays Designate For Assignment Versatile Left-Handed Pitcher
Toronto Blue Jays Designate For Assignment Versatile Left-Handed Pitcher The Blue Jays opted to part ways with Eric Lauer ahead of a series against the Tampa Bay Rays
If Berrios is able to avoid a season-ending surgery, he could provide a boost to a Toronto rotation that is in desperate need of arms. If he's schedule to be out for longer, then the Blue Jays will have to work with their patchwork rotation until Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber are in a position to make their respective returns.
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