Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Jose Berrios struggles in first Single-A rehab outing
Photo credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
It's been a frustrating start to the season for Jose Berrios.
Toronto Blue Jays starter Jose Berrios allowed five runs on five hits over 2.2 innings, with three strikeouts and a walk in his rehab start in Dunedin on Thursday as he works his way back to the major league roster.
Berrios got the start for the Single-A Blue Jays against the Clearwater Threshers, an affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, and threw 47 pitches, 39 for strikes.
His outing started poorly, as Berríos gave up a lead-off double on the first pitch he threw.
The following pitch, he gave up a single to put runners on the corners with no outs. Berríos’ third batter walked, before he finally got an out thanks to a pop up.
Unfortunately, Matthew Ferrara doubled to drive in two runs. Then, Juan Villavicencio grounded out, bringing home the third run of the inning.
It went from bad to worse, as Nolan Beltran singled, giving the Clearwater Threshers a 4-0 lead. He got out of the inning thanks to a strikeout.
Berríos settled down from there. In the second inning, he struck out Jack Barker, followed by two groundouts.
The right-handed pitcher got the first two outs of the top of the third, thanks to his third strikeout and a pop up, but Ferrara took him deep to give the Threshers a 5-3 lead.
A big night for Threshers' Matthew Ferrara and Juan Villavicencio!
Ferrara: 4-for-5 with a home run and 4 RBIs
Villavicencio: 3-for-4 with a triple and 1 RBI
Ferrara: 4-for-5 with a home run and 4 RBIs
Villavicencio: 3-for-4 with a triple and 1 RBI
Berrios will likely make another single-A start next week
The results weren’t great for Berríos, but seeing him average over 94 mph on his four-seam fastball is a positive sign going back to last season.
Expect him to make another start in Single-A, before pitching at a higher-level.
Berrios began the 2026 season on the injured list after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow.
The injury was discovered after Berrios underwent an MRI as he was trying to play for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.
Berrios made three appearances in Spring Training and posted a 1-0 record with a 3.38 ERA in 10.2 innings before he was shut down with the injury.
Berrios has a 108-82 career record with a 4.08 ERA over 275 career games with the Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins.
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