Jose Berrios sat down for his first interview since being left off the Toronto Blue Jays’ postseason roster.
The 31-year-old, who had been a staple in the Blue Jays’ starting rotation since being acquired in a trade partway through the 2021 season, struggled immensely over the second half of 2025.
Berrios wasn’t just getting knocked around, but also noticed a decline in his velocity. Shortly after being demoted to a bullpen role, he was placed on the injured list due to, as he put it, a variety of ailments.
“I’ve been battling all year long with my elbow, my bicep, but with the way my team was competing out there, I was trying to trying to [stay] out there,” Berrios said in an appearance on MLB Network.
Berrios has taken plenty of heat for his distance from the team during their historic run to the World Series this past fall. He maintained, however, that his absence was simply due to his injury, rather than frustration over his demotion.
“Late in the season, I couldn’t [hold on] anymore with that feeling I had in my arm. I just put my hands up and tried to see what [was wrong]. We had an MRI and [it showed] bicep tendon inflammation. We attacked that real quick, and that’s why I didn’t pitch in the playoffs.”
The question moving forward is where Berrios fits in with the Blue Jays. GM Ross Atkins and his staff have been busy this offseason, signing two starting pitchers in Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. They also continue to have Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Shane Bieber pencilled in as starters.
Despite the uncertainty regarding his future, Berrios appears to be happy to be a member of the Jays, and was thrilled to see the success his team had in 2025.
“It was an unbelievable year,” Berrios said. “The guys [gave] 100 per cent every day out there. It was fun. I enjoyed it all year long.”
Berrios, who seems to be making good progress from his injuries, made it clear he hopes to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, which runs from March 5 to March 17. Whether he’ll continue to be a part of the Blue Jays organization by that time remains to be seen.
