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Blue Jays 2026 40-man Roster Review: José Berríos is looking to bounce back next season
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Photo credit: © Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jan 15, 2026, 18:30 ESTUpdated: Jan 15, 2026, 19:12 EST
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The 2025 season was a tough one for José Berríos.
This is Blue Jays Nation’s annual 40-man roster review ahead of the new season. If you missed the most recent article, we looked at Alejandro Kirk. In this article, we’ll look at José Berríos.
In 166 innings pitched with the Toronto Blue Jays last season, Berríos posted a 4.17 ERA and 4.65 FIP, along with a 19.8 K% and an 8 BB%. His velocity was down a full mph, going from 94.2 mph on his heater in 2024 to just 93 mph in 2025. However, a reason for that may have been his bicep and elbow injuries he had throughout the season.
For the first time in his big league career, Berríos was placed on the injured list, but not before being moved to the bullpen. After starting 30 games, Berríos appeared in relief for the first time since 2017, snapping his start streak. As one could imagine, it didn’t appear he was happy about it, and it’s not hard to see why.
This off-season, the Blue Jays signed both Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, making Berríos’ spot in the rotation precarious, to say the least. In late November, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith reported that the Jays could be listening to trade offers involving Berríos. Moving Berríos would clear a portion of the luxury tax hit well, depending on the hypothetical return.
Of course, it’s entirely possible the Jays go into Spring Training with six starters in the rotation, as injuries can happen. If all six starters remain healthy, then a decision could be made. That said, Berríos has shown the ability to bounce back after a tough season.
His first full season in the Jays organization was in 2022, as he was named the Opening Day starter. In 172 innings pitched, Berríos finished the year with a 5.23 ERA and 4.55 FIP, with a 19.8 K% and 6 BB%. If you’re wondering, yes, he was the Jays’ Opening Day starter in 2025 as well.
Berríos rebounded with a strong 2023 season, authoring a 3.65 ERA and 3.99 FIP in 189.2 innings pitched, the first time he had a sub 4.00 FIP since 2019. Berríos’ K% jumped to 23.5%, while also posting a 6.6 BB%. In 2024, Berríos had a 3.60 ERA, but a 4.72 FIP in 192.1 innings pitched.
He’s entirely capable of a bounce-back year, and there’s no telling how much the injuries played into his poor performance in 2025. Fangraphs’ Steamer projects he’ll finish 2026 with a 4.34 ERA and 4.35 FIP in 122 innings pitched, along with a 20.4 K% and 6.8 BB%.
It’s unclear if Berríos has thrown his final pitch with the Jays, but if he remains with the team, expect a bounce-back year in 2026.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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