Get ready for an exciting baseball season with the Blue Jays! We're diving into the team's rotation and the key players who will shape their success.
A Comeback Story: José Berríos' Resilience
José Berríos, the Blue Jays' right-hander, made a notable comeback today, pitching 2 2/3 innings against the Mets. This is a significant step after health concerns last year. In an interview, Berríos revealed that he had doubts about his health a year ago, which lingered throughout the season. He shared, "I threw that way all year, it was a new challenge for me, and I fought hard to stay in the game."
Despite pitching 166 innings last year, Berríos faced injuries, especially towards the end of the season. He finished 2025 on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, but now we know it was actually his biceps tendon causing the issue. His performance dipped in the second half, with an ERA of 5.15 compared to 3.75 in the first half. His fastball and sinker speeds dropped from over 94 mph to below 92 mph by August.
Rotation Shuffle and Berríos' Comeback
Berríos' struggles last year led to him being dropped from the rotation, just before his injury. With Shane Bieber likely starting the season on the IL, Berríos is projected to reclaim his rotation spot behind Dylan Cease, Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Cody Ponce. A healthy and productive Berríos could be a game-changer for the Jays and boost his earning potential. At the end of the year, he has the option to opt out of his contract, walking away from $48MM over two years, or he can increase his guarantee based on his 2026 innings pitched.
The Left-Handed Enigma: Eric Lauer's Story
Now, let's talk about left-hander Eric Lauer. Currently, he's on the outside looking in, projected as the #6 guy, which means starting the season in the bullpen as the long reliever. However, an injury could quickly open a rotation spot for him. Lauer spent much of 2025 in this role, switching between starting and relieving. He finished the year with a solid 3.18 ERA in 104 2/3 innings across 15 starts and 13 relief appearances. He also made five postseason appearances with the same impressive ERA.
Lauer told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic that he'd prefer a full-time starting job, a natural preference for most pitchers. Bannon even suggested the possibility of Lauer being traded, but the Jays want to keep him, especially with their injury-prone depth.
The Depth Conundrum
The Jays' optionable depth is a concern. Bowden Francis is out for the year due to Tommy John surgery. Jake Bloss is still recovering from elbow surgery. Ricky Tiedemann and Adam Macko missed last year due to surgeries, and Lazaro Estrada and Yariel Rodríguez are yet to make a significant impact in the majors. Keeping Lauer around decreases the Jays' reliance on this depth, but it also means Lauer could be squeezed out if the Jays bring in more established pitchers.
The Jays have been in talks with free agent Max Scherzer, and if he's re-signed, and Bieber's arm holds up, Lauer could find himself further down the pecking order. At that point, the Jays might consider trading Lauer for other assets, rather than keeping him in a buried spot.
So, there you have it! The Blue Jays' rotation is an intriguing mix of comeback stories and depth considerations. What do you think? Will Berríos and Lauer shine this season, or will the Jays' depth pile become a factor? Let's discuss in the comments!
