Jose Berrios reflects on leaving Blue Jays ahead of World Series, apologizes to teammates
Photo credit: Hazel Mae - x.com
Toronto Blue Jays starter José Berrios addressed the media for the first time this spring, making it clear he’s motivated to turn the page and focus on the season ahead.
With lingering uncertainty surrounding Shane Bieber’s health and how many innings he’ll be able to provide in 2026, a fully healthy and focused Berrios has suddenly become a key figure in Toronto’s rotation plans.
Speaking at the club’s Player Development Complex in Dunedin, Jose Berrios opened up about his health, the lessons learned from last fall, and his decision to leave the team ahead of the World Series.
Sportsnet’s Hazel Mae asked Berrios directly whether his absence during the World Series stemmed from frustration over being left off the playoff roster.
Asked Jose Berrios to clarify whether he was absent during WS because he was unhappy with being left off playoff roster:
“Honestly, I wasn't (unhappy). I understand why I was out of the roster. Usually I can throw the ball at any time.. that's why I made that decision. “At that moment, I thought I wasn’t pitching. I didn’t feel great and I wanted to be close to my family. And didn’t bring my family to Canada because they’re (sons) going to miss days in school”
“Honestly, I wasn't (unhappy). I understand why I was out of the roster. Usually I can throw the ball at any time.. that's why I made that decision. “At that moment, I thought I wasn’t pitching. I didn’t feel great and I wanted to be close to my family. And didn’t bring my family to Canada because they’re (sons) going to miss days in school”
Berrios also told The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon that returning home to continue his rehab and be with his family was “one bad decision” that he regrets.
José Berrios reflected on leaving the #BlueJays ahead of the WS last year. He said he’s apologized to his teammates and wants to put it in the past.
“Just made maybe one, one bad decision to go back home, to keep working on my rehab and stay close to my family.l”
“Just made maybe one, one bad decision to go back home, to keep working on my rehab and stay close to my family.l”
Berrios publicly apologizes to media and teammates
MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson said that Berrios apologized today and has apologized to his teammates for how 2025 ended.
José Berrios apologized today and has apologized to his teammates for how 2025 ended. He says that he chose to go home to rehab in Puerto Rico and be with his family there, but owned that today, calling it a “mistake” and a “bad decision”. #BlueJays
Manager John Schneider echoed those sentiments earlier this week as camp opened.
“I think José realizes it probably could have been handled a little differently — on everyone’s end, really,” Schneider said. “Looking back, I wish we had done some things differently, and I’m sure he feels the same. But he’s the same José — he’s ready. He’s had the conversations he needed to have. We just want to move forward.”
Berrios, 31, is entering his 11th major-league season and his sixth with Toronto.
He went 9-5 in 2025, posting a 4.17 ERA and 1.301 WHIP across 166 innings over 31 appearances.
He was removed from the rotation in September before landing on the injured list on Sept. 25.
What once appeared to be a battle for a rotation spot has shifted dramatically.
What does the Blue Jays rotation look like following the recent injury news regarding Bowden Francis and Shane Bieber?
With Bieber to open the season on the injured list due to forearm soreness and
Bowden Francis set to miss the entire 2026 campaign following Tommy John surgery, Berrios now plays a far more significant role in Toronto’s pitching plans.
Bowden Francis set to miss the entire 2026 campaign following Tommy John surgery, Berrios now plays a far more significant role in Toronto’s pitching plans.
For both Berrios and the Toronto Blue Jays, the message this spring is simple: learn from the past and move forward.
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