Story perspectives

Blue Jays lose Berrios to Tommy John, $131 M contract

5/21/2026

Summary

Berrios Undergoes Tommy John

Manager John Schneider said Jose Berrios underwent Tommy John surgery, with recovery expected to take 12-15 months (up to 12-18 months).
Berrios' seven-year, $131 million deal pays $24 million in 2027 and 2028.
Bowden Francis also had Tommy John surgery, leaving the Jays without a fifth starter.
Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber and Cody Ponce remain on the injured list, leaving a rotation of Gausman, Cease, Yesavage, Corbin and Miles, Toronto sits 21-27.

Summary

Berríos Opt-out

Berríos’ $131 million contract contains a 2026 opt-out that would forfeit about $48 million.
Declining strikeout rates in 2024-25 suggest the Jays expect him to stay, locking $24 million per season for 2027-28, tightening payroll and luxury-tax margin, and occupying a 40-man roster spot during rehab.
Analysts say the $48 million saved by an opt-out could fund a mid-level starter in the 2027 free-agent market, shaping Toronto’s ability to pursue free agents next summer.

History

Historical Context

In 1974 Dr. Frank Jobe performed the first UCL reconstruction on Dodgers pitcher Tommy John, allowing him to pitch 14 more seasons. The operation spread worldwide, with Choji Murata receiving Japan’s first in 1982 and by 2020 over 1,000 major-league pitchers—about one-third of all MLB arms—had it. In 2024 Toronto’s Jose Berrios began the same 12-month rehab, echoing the procedure’s lasting impact on roster planning.

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Berrios Undergoes Tommy John

Manager John Schneider said Jose Berrios underwent Tommy John surgery, with recovery expected to take 12-15 months (up to 12-18 months).
Berrios' seven-year, $131 million deal pays $24 million in 2027 and 2028.
Bowden Francis also had Tommy John surgery, leaving the Jays without a fifth starter.
Max Scherzer, Shane Bieber and Cody Ponce remain on the injured list, leaving a rotation of Gausman, Cease, Yesavage, Corbin and Miles, Toronto sits 21-27.

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