The unfortunate saga of Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios continues to worsen, as the team announced that the right-hander will undergo elbow surgery on Wednesday, potentially ending his season. Manager John Schneider delivered the news before Saturday's game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
Details of the Injury
Berrios, who was Toronto's opening day starter in 2025, has been dealing with persistent elbow issues. An examination by renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. Keith Meister in Texas revealed loose bodies in his elbow, as well as a stress fracture. The surgery will address the stress fracture, but doctors will also assess the ligament once inside the elbow, raising concerns about more extensive damage.
“There may be some ligament stuff going on,” Schneider told reporters in Detroit. “They’re going to figure that out when they’re in there.”
If significant ligament repair is needed, Berrios is almost certain to miss the remainder of the season. In a best-case scenario, his recovery timeline could mirror that of Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, who underwent a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure to remove a loose body from his left elbow and has since resumed throwing.
A Trying Season for Berrios
The 2026 season has been extremely challenging for Berrios. The trouble began before last fall's playoff push, and an attempt to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic revealed elbow inflammation. The stress fracture has only compounded the problem.
Blue Jays Rotation in Crisis
Berrios' injury is the latest blow to a Blue Jays rotation that has been decimated by injuries since spring training. The team has already lost Cody Ponce to season-ending knee surgery, while Max Scherzer and Shane Bieber remain unavailable. Trey Yesavage is just beginning his return to the mound after starting Friday's series opener against the Tigers.
In response, Toronto has relied on veteran Patrick Corbin, signed when starters began falling, and used opener Mason Fluharty in Saturday's game. Eric Lauer was added out of necessity but was later designated for assignment after a dip in performance. Interestingly, left-handed prospect Adam Macko has been added to the taxi squad and was present in the clubhouse in Detroit.
The Blue Jays' need for starting pitching is acute as they navigate a season filled with adversity.
