Toronto Blue Jays pitcher José Berríos is set to undergo elbow surgery on Wednesday, as confirmed by manager John Schneider. The surgery will be performed by Dr. Keith Meister, who will repair a stress fracture in Berríos’ elbow.
Concerns About Berríos’ Elbow
The Blue Jays have expressed additional concerns regarding the ligament in Berríos’ elbow. The outcome of the surgery will determine whether he is finished for the current season. If ligament repair is required, it could lead to a longer recovery period.
Background on Berríos’ Injury
Berríos began the 2023 season on the injured list due to a stress fracture, despite appearing healthy in spring training. He was hoping to play for Team Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic when an MRI revealed elbow inflammation.
- The stress fracture was later diagnosed after a consultation with Dr. Meister in Texas.
- Berríos made four minor-league rehab starts before experiencing more inflammation after his latest outing on May 3.
- In his rehab appearances, he posted a 10.67 ERA over 14.1 innings.
During spring training, he had two starts, including an impressive four-inning shutout against the New York Yankees. This injury is distinct from the issues that forced him to miss time at the end of the previous season.
Performance Statistics
In 2022, Berríos had a challenging season, throwing 166 innings with a 4.17 ERA across 31 appearances. He was placed on the injured list on September 25 due to right elbow inflammation, marking the first injury-related absence in his MLB career. This situation resulted in the fewest starts and innings pitched in a full season for Berríos since 2017.
Future Outlook
Berríos’ surgery and subsequent recovery will be crucial for both him and the Blue Jays as they navigate the remainder of the season. Fans and team officials alike will be monitoring his rehabilitation closely.
