DETROIT – José Berríos will be out of action for at least a couple of months and possibly for over a year following his decision to undergo elbow surgery. The Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his elbow, alongside some loose bodies in the area, and there may also be ligament damage, as noted by Blue Jays manager John Schneider.
Dr. Keith Meister is scheduled to perform surgery on Berríos on Wednesday. The exact nature of the procedure will become clear once the doctor is able to evaluate the situation internally. Schneider expressed that the surgical team will be assessing the condition as they proceed: “They’re going to figure that out when they’re actually in there. See what they see when they get in.”
In an optimistic best-case scenario, there is a chance Berríos could return later this season, having missed merely a couple of months. Schneider offered the example of Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, suggesting a hopeful comparison since the two-time Cy Young winner started playing catch just weeks after undergoing surgery. However, the risk of needing ligament replacement surgery means that more extended recovery timelines remain on the table. For instance, Tommy John surgery typically comes with a recovery period of 12 to 18 months.
Berríos's situation has evolved through a perplexing series of events. He entered spring training healthy and began his buildup on schedule. However, an MRI performed in March revealed a stress fracture, which led to a period where he could not throw. After some time, he resumed throwing and was able to progress to triple-A before undergoing another shutdown, prompting him to seek further advice from specialists, including Dr. Meister.
When reflecting on the treatment process, Schneider placed his trust in the medical professionals. He stated, “Doctors know more than me, you know what I mean?” Schneider explained that the medical team had initially given Berríos the green light to continue pitching after he reported feeling normal, but as soon as a doctor advised him to cease activities, they adhered to that guidance without hesitation.
Despite his desire to pitch, Berríos was cautious in following the established protocols. Schneider acknowledged the inherent risks associated with pitchers: “There’s always risk with pitchers, right? That’s a risk that both he and we accepted when we said ‘keep throwing.’”
Without Berríos, the Blue Jays' already limited starting pitching depth takes a significant blow. The team is also currently without key pitchers Cody Ponce, Max Scherzer, and Shane Bieber, who are all on the injured list. Eric Lauer has also struggled this season and was recently designated for assignment. Without a fifth starter available, the team is in need of answers as they face a demanding schedule of 17 games over the next 17 days. Right-hander Spencer Miles is stepping up to take on more innings, and left-handed reliever Adam Macko has been added to the team's taxi squad to bolster depth.
As the Blue Jays navigate this challenging situation without Berríos, Schneider expressed empathy for the pitcher, saying, “He’s pissed. He’s frustrated... So I feel bad for him.” With the implications of this injury weighing heavily on the team's performance, the Blue Jays now find themselves in a difficult position as they work to fill the gaps in their roster.
