DUNEDIN – When José Berríos signed a seven-year extension with the Blue Jays in November 2021, this is what he and the organization envisioned.
Berríos got the Opening Day start in 2022, but it wasn’t one to remember. Berríos recorded just one out that day against the Rangers, and his season snowballed from there, ending in a 5.23 ERA that felt so far away from the pitcher who had built a reputation as one of baseball’s safest bets.
Now, he’s back. Berríos is coming off a fantastic season in 2023, one that reestablished him as the pitcher we’ve known for years. With Kevin Gausman still building up after some right shoulder fatigue slowed him earlier in camp, the door opened for Berríos to step back into the Opening Day role.
“I thank God that I have this opportunity to throw on the first day of the season,” Berríos said. “I think this is my fourth, my second with the Blue Jays. I also have on my mind that I want to do better than the one I did before with the Blue Jays. That’s obviously my plan, my goal. This is a pleasure. I am so happy and I know that my family and teammates are happy. They have congratulated me already, and I feel really proud.”
Courtesy: https://www.mlb.com/bluejays/news/