Blue Jays’ Berrios Faces Questions About Role, Future with Team

ORLANDO, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays are navigating a potentially delicate situation with right-handed pitcher Jose Berrios, as recent comments from General Manager Ross Atkins have raised questions about the veteran’s mindset and long-term standing with the club.

Atkins’ remarks at the Winter Meetings diverged from previous explanations regarding Berrios’ absence during portions of the postseason, sparking speculation about underlying issues beyond a simple desire to be with family – the explanation initially offered on November 6th. This comes as the Blue Jays bolster their pitching staff with additions like Dylan Cease and a pending deal with Cody Ponce, further complicating the landscape.

The core of the matter stems from Berrios’ removal from the starting rotation earlier this season. The 31-year-old was candid in September, acknowledging the difficulty of the demotion. “It was tough, to be honest, it was tough, not because it’s their fault – they made that decision because of the way I was pitching,” Berrios said at the time. “I think the guys that are starting right now are pitching better than me. That’s why they made that decision. As an athlete, it’s hard to understand that and agree with that. But we have to think about my team, the future. Right now I’m not pitching the way I am able to and I understand that.”

Atkins, when pressed on why Berrios wasn’t involved in parts of the playoff run, stated the pitcher “was not happy” about losing his spot. He added that Berrios’ absence was “his decision,” suggesting the player was “having a tough time.” While Atkins later characterized Berrios’ handling of the situation as “well,” the shifting narrative has fueled uncertainty.

The situation highlights a common, yet often sensitive, dynamic within professional sports. According to a 2023 study by the MLB Players Association, approximately 15% of players experience significant emotional distress related to performance or role changes during a season, underscoring the psychological toll of elite competition. The Blue Jays, like all teams, must balance individual player needs with the collective pursuit of championship contention.

Berrios’ 2023 season was marked by inconsistency. He posted a 4.06 ERA across 164 innings, but his performance dipped significantly in his final 13 outings, registering a 5.37 ERA. He also battled right elbow inflammation, his first time being sidelined in a decade, and estimated he was pitching at “maybe 80, 90” percent capacity during that period. The elbow issue impacted his mechanics, causing “inconsistent[cy] with the release point of my pitches,” he explained.

Despite the challenges, Atkins has publicly attempted to dispel trade rumors, stating the Blue Jays “certainly intend for him to be here moving forward” and describing their relationship as “solid, professional.” He acknowledged the difficulty of any situation where a player of Berrios’ caliber isn’t in the rotation, stating, “I’m sure he was not excited with that decision.”

However, when asked if the relationship required repair, Atkins offered a broader perspective: “we’re never going to have a situation where we have 40 players, or even 26 players, that are feeling great about the opportunity that they were given, even when you go to the last game of the World Series.”

Berrios resumed throwing in October and participated in the celebrations following the Blue Jays’ ALCS victory over the Seattle Mariners. He was unable to return for the World Series, where the Los Angeles Dodgers ultimately prevailed. Atkins has indicated Berrios is currently “very good” and has “recovered well,” but the lingering questions about his outlook within the organization remain.