Down goes another starting pitcher.
Right-hander José Berríos, who made his second career relief appearance on Wednesday, will now miss the remainder of the regular season after being placed on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, the Toronto Blue Jays announced Thursday afternoon.
Manager John Schneider told reporters pre-game that it’s an ailment Berríos has been “dealing with for a while” and will undergo an MRI to determine its severity. Paxton Schultz is expected to be recalled from triple-A Buffalo as the corresponding roster move.
Jose Berrios is heading to IL with right elbow inflammation and is on his way to get an MRI right now.
Blue Jays manager John Schneider says it’s something Berrios has been “dealing with for a while.”
Paxton Schultz is on his way up.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) September 25, 2025
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It’s been a rough point of the season for Berríos, who’s seen both his consecutive start and IL-free streaks snapped within less than a week. This will be the first season since 2017 (excluding ’20) that he fails to make 32 starts, ending his streak of six straight years.
The 31-year-old won’t be eligible to return from the IL until Oct. 10, likely ruling him out until a potential American League championship series berth.
In 31 games (30 starts) this season, the 31-year-old righty owns a 4.17 ERA and 4.65 FIP across 166 innings, sporting a career-low 11.7 per cent strikeout-minus-walk rate (K-BB%), worth 1.3 fWAR. Before moving to the bullpen, he had struggled considerably over his past five starts, posting a 6.14 ERA and 5.46 FIP with five home runs allowed.
Berríos worked a pair of innings in relief during Wednesday’s 7-1 defeat, surrendering a three-run homer after returning from a 1-2-3 first inning of work.
Despite his recent woes, Berríos — who can opt out of his seven-year, $131-million extension after 2026 — is expected to return to Toronto’s starting rotation next season, with potential holes to fill from Shane Bieber, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer all hitting free agency this winter.
Adding Schultz — part of the organization’s stay-ready group now that the minor-league season has finished — to the mix will provide the Blue Jays with a fresh arm ahead of Thursday’s high-stakes bullpen game against the Red Sox, with Louis Varland serving as the opener.