Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios will miss start of season with stress fracture in arm appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Blue Jays are hoping to compete for a World Series appearance once again during the upcoming 2026 season. However, they received an unfortunate update on Wednesday. According to Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet, starting pitcher Jose Berrios has a stress fracture in his elbow.
“Following his meeting with Dr. Keith Meister, Jose Berrios has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow,” Zwelling wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Berrios remains symptom-free and the plan is to resume throwing after a few days off. He won’t be ready for beginning of the season.”
Berrios was previously dealing with an arm injury concern. Now, the Blue Jays know exactly what he is battling. Berrios’ injury is far from ideal, but it remains to be seen what Berrios’ official return timeline is. The Blue Jays will closely monitor the situation.
Berrios, 31, pitched to a 4.17 ERA across 31 outings in 2025. A two-time All-Star, the Blue Jays were hoping he’d play a significant role in the rotation in 2026. While that could still happen, Toronto will have to look elsewhere to begin the year.
Kevin Gausman will start on Opening Day for the ball club. Dylan Cease, Max Scherzer, Cody Ponce and Trey Yesavage all may follow him in the starting rotation. The Blue Jays likely have enough pitching depth to find success, but Berrios will be missed nonetheless.
The team will continue to monitor and provide updates on his injury status as they are made available. For now, they will focus on their spring training game on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles.
Injuries like this carry more than physical consequences. They disrupt timing, chemistry, and confidence. A stress fracture isn’t something you rush back from—it demands patience, careful management, and trust in the recovery process.
For Berríos, that means stepping away just as the season begins to take shape, watching from the sidelines while his teammates carry the early burden.
Inside the clubhouse, the reaction is a mix of concern and resolve. Teammates understand what Berríos brings—not just on the mound, but in preparation, leadership, and presence.
His absence creates a void, but it also creates opportunity. Someone else will have to step forward, take the ball, and embrace the pressure that comes with it.
For the Blue Jays, this moment is an early test of depth. Contending teams aren’t defined by perfect conditions; they’re defined by how they respond when things go wrong.
The rotation will need to adjust, roles may shift, and expectations will evolve. It’s not ideal—but it’s part of the long, unpredictable rhythm of a baseball season.