The Toronto Blue Jays were on the verge of getting some potential reinforcements for their pitching staff when they were dealt with another sudden blow for one of their returnees. According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, José Berríos will be heading for an MRI after feeling unexpectedly sore following his last rehab start.
As a result of the worrisome news, it inadvertently thrusts Eric Lauer back into the spotlight for Toronto as Nicholson-Smith indicated that the controversial pitcher will stay in the starting rotation while the Jays assess the next steps for Berríos following his MRI results.
With Berrios headed for more tests, the Blue Jays will need to count on Lauer to provide stability in their rotation
The Blue Jays were potentially looking forward to having Berríos back following his rehab assignment after their pitching staff was decimated with injuries to start the 2026 MLB season. Still on the sidelines included starters Shane Bieber, Max Scherzer and Cody Ponce, who of course is gone for the rest of the year as a result of an unfortunate mishap in his season debut with the Blue Jays. Not to mention pitchers such as Bowden Francis, Lazaro Estrada and Yimi Garcia are on the injured list as well.
Yes, Berríos may have struggled during the latter parts of the 2025 season, in addition to his current rehab starts where he had posted a gaudy 10.67 ERA, 1.81 WHIP, giving up 17 earned runs including six home runs in just 14.1 innings of work. Nevertheless, as a former front end of the rotation pitcher who registered multiple double-digit win seasons along with an ERA consistently below 4.00, he had the potential to bounce back to give the Blue Jays a much-needed boost and stability to their rotation going forward.
With the latest setback, the Jays have no choice but to keep Lauer in the rotation for the time being. If Lauer had been demonstrating his 2025 form this season, then of course it would have been the obvious decision. However, the 30-year-old left-hander has struggled to date, compiling a 1-3 record, 6.15 ERA, 1.56 WHIP, giving up a whopping 18 earned runs with seven home runs, along with 13 walks and 18 strikeouts in 26.1 total innings as a starter in 2026.
On top of that, he also had acontroversial run-in with Jays manager John Schneider earlier this year with regards to how he should be deployed when used as a starter. Lauer appeared to be destined for the bullpen to help him rediscover his game once reinforcements for the rotation returned to Toronto. But with Berríos’ latest development, that move will be put on hold until further notice now.
For the Blue Jays’ sake, a good result from Berríos’ MRI or a big turn around by Lauer would be welcomed news. Otherwise, the ongoing issues with fielding a healthy and effective starting five could go on much longer than Toronto would be comfortable with.