Toronto Blue Jays announce return date for starting pitcher Jose Berrios

According to Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson Smith, Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he will talk with Jose Berrios to see how he feels ready before making a determination on Monday's starter against the Tampa Bay Rays.

It will either be Berrios or Eric Lauer, and Berrios could have the edge in large part due to Lauer's bullpen experience.

Berrios wasn't sharp in his last rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, giving up five earned runs on five hits and two walks over four innings.

He did get stretched out to 70 pitches, however, and the stress fracture in his right elbow that sent him to the injured list doesn't appear to be giving him any trouble.

Lauer hasn't been great in 2026, though he's at least provided innings when the Blue Jays were desperate for warm bodies on the mound.

His 6.75 ERA is backed up by a 6.48 FIP and 5.35 SIERA, both of which suggest that his poor results haven't been due to bad luck or a lack of quality defense.

His biggest issue has been the long ball; the 30-year-old southpaw has allowed six home runs in five appearances this year, including multi-homer efforts in two of his last three outings.

It's clear that Berrios is built up and ready to return to the Blue Jays' rotation when called upon.

In that context, it's fair to say that Lauer is pitching for his job against the Red Sox.

Pitch well, and maybe he can earn another few starts. Pitch poorly, and it's likely that he'll be headed for a full-time gig in the bullpen.

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