The Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2026 season with one of the deepest starting rotations in baseball, but an unexpected complication involving José Berríos could make that picture far less stable.
Toronto has assembled an impressive group of starters that includes Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer, José Berríos, rookie Trey Yesavage, along with offseason additions Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce. With so many capable arms available, competition for rotation spots was already intense.
Now, a World Baseball Classic insurance issue involving Berríos may introduce additional uncertainty.
WBC insurance denial raises questions
Berríos had hoped to pitch for Team Puerto Rico in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. However, he was denied insurance clearance twice, preventing him from participating in the tournament.
The reason behind the denial has not been publicly confirmed, but the situation has sparked speculation that it may be related to a potential underlying medical concern.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider addressed the issue while speaking with reporters.
“We’re getting all the information that we can from all the things that he had to do medically to say, OK, why wasn’t he granted insurance,” Schneider said. “So we’ll gather more information and take it day by day.”
When asked directly if Berríos was dealing with an injury, Schneider said the pitcher “felt good,” though the team continues to seek additional medical opinions.
Rotation competition already intense
Even before the insurance situation, Berríos was facing significant pressure to reclaim his role in Toronto’s rotation.
During the 2025 season, Berríos struggled late in the year and was ultimately moved to the bullpen, raising questions about his long-term role with the team.
With the offseason additions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, Berríos needed a strong spring to reestablish himself as a reliable starter.
So far, he has responded well.
Across three spring training starts, Berríos has posted:
- 1–0 record
- 3.38 ERA
- 1.13 WHIP
- 7 strikeouts in 10.2 innings
He has also stated that he feels stronger and healthier than he did late last season, which could help him reclaim a rotation spot.
Backup options ready if needed
The Blue Jays have several alternative starters ready if Berríos falters or encounters health setbacks.
Eric Lauer remains a possible option despite a rough spring. He currently holds an 8.64 ERA across four spring starts, though he performed well in 2025 with:
- 6–3 record
- 3.77 ERA
- 74 strikeouts in 74 innings
Meanwhile, Cody Ponce has been one of the standout pitchers in camp.
Through three spring starts, Ponce has recorded:
- 1.50 ERA
- 0.67 WHIP
- 0 walks
- 5 strikeouts in 6 innings
His strong performance could push him into the rotation conversation if space opens up.
Shane Bieber’s return adds more pressure
Another factor complicating the rotation battle is the eventual return of Shane Bieber, who is currently working his way back from injury.
If Bieber returns early in the season, the competition for rotation spots will only intensify.
That means Berríos may be operating on a short leash, needing both good health and consistent performance to remain part of the starting five.
A complicated situation heading into Opening Day
For now, the Blue Jays remain confident that Berríos is healthy, but the unusual insurance situation has added a layer of uncertainty to Toronto’s pitching plans.
With Opening Day approaching quickly, the organization will continue monitoring both Berríos’ health status and his performance as they finalize their rotation.
Given the depth of arms available, one thing is clear: the Blue Jays rotation battle could remain fluid throughout the 2026 season. ⚾
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