Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Jose Berrios will be sidelined for the remainder of the season following Tommy John surgery, a team representative confirmed. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, typically entails a recovery period of about a year.
During the surgery, Dr. Keith Meister addressed a stress fracture in Berrios’s elbow and assessed potential ligament damage. The Blue Jays had initially hoped for a less invasive procedure for Berrios, who had missed last year’s World Series due to elbow inflammation.
However, a loose body was discovered on the ligament, necessitating the Tommy John surgery. Manager John Schneider expressed disappointment about the situation but expressed confidence in Berrios’s commitment to rehabilitation.
Berrios, 31, had not played in any major league games this season. The pitcher had signed a lucrative extension with the Blue Jays through 2028 in November 2021. The elbow issues were first identified during an MRI scan while Berrios was preparing to represent Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Following four rehab starts with triple-A Buffalo, Berrios experienced continued discomfort, leading to the decision for surgery. Schneider remarked on the unexpected turn of events and highlighted Berrios’s absence from the pitching rotation.
In the previous season, Berrios had a record of 9-5 with a 4.17 ERA in 31 appearances for Toronto. He missed the postseason due to injury as the Blue Jays fell short in the World Series. Berrios has been a consistent performer, making at least 30 starts in each of the last seven full seasons, alongside teammate Patrick Corbin.
The season-ending surgery for Berrios adds to the challenges faced by the injury-plagued Toronto pitching staff. The team has dealt with various setbacks, including Shane Bieber’s forearm stiffness and Cody Ponce’s knee injury. Max Scherzer and Trey Yesavage have also faced limitations due to injuries.
Schneider provided updates on Scherzer’s and Bieber’s recovery timelines, indicating progress for both pitchers. The Blue Jays, currently at a 21-27 record, are working to overcome their pitching challenges as they aim to improve their standing in the American League East.