TORONTO, ON – APRIL 9: José Berríos #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on from the dugout against the Seattle Mariners in their MLB game at the Rogers Centre on April 9, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Kevin Sousa/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays are clearly focused on fortifying their World Series roster with even more star power as they look forward to next season.
Shortly after reaching Game 7 of the Fall Classic, the team signed frontline starter Dylan Cease to a franchise record contract, and then added notable pitchers Cody Ponce and Tyler Rogers as well.
After so much addition to the pitching staff, it seems likely that the team will now shift its focus to the position players, with a potential reunion with Bo Bichette or top-dollar offer for Kyle Tucker ahead. But no matter who the team looks to bring in next, it seems to have an odd man out on the roster.
Blue Jays’ Star Jose Berrios Chose to Skip World Series
Two-time All-Star pitcher Jose Berrios struggled with injury and effectiveness this past season and was ultimately moved out of the starting rotation. Then he was left off of the playoff roster and absent from the World Series run.
At first, the team excused his absence as a family matter, but at the Major League Baseball Winter Meetings earlier this month, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins conceded that Berrios chose to skip the team’s championship series out of frustration.
“He was not happy,” Atkins said, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. “He was disappointed that he wasn’t in our rotation.”
After that decision, as well as the injury concerns that cropped up, Berrios might find himself moved off of the team via trade. But the Blue Jays would have a hard time finding a suitor for him, as he’s entering just the fifth year of a seven-year, $131 million contract.
Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios Details Injury Recovery, World Baseball Classic Plans
Speaking publicly for the first time since the season ended, Berrios addressed his absence from the playoffs and noted some optimism about making a healthy return.
“It was bicep inflammation, so nothing major,” Berrios said during an appearance on MLB Network, according to the Toronto Star’s Kristjan Lautens. “We attacked that real quick, and that’s why I didn’t pitch in the playoffs.”
Berrios added that he is hoping to recover in time for the World Baseball Classic in March.
“I want to pitch in the WBC,” Berrios added, per Lautens. “First of all, get through spring training healthy and strong and then get ready for the WBC.”
The Blue Jays would probably prefer that Berrios stay out of the tournament and focus on bouncing back to his All-Star form for next season. Or, at the very least, do all that he can to ensure he can be present in case the team makes it back to the World Series.
