Blue Jays dealt a late spring injury blow with another pitcher likely hitting the IL

This is why you don't trade away valuable starting pitching depth, everyone. Injuries tend to happen in waves, and the Toronto Blue Jays are getting absolutely crushed by a big one right now.

After failing to qualify for insurance for the World Baseball Classic due to elbow inflammation, Jose Berrios has been diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow and will miss the start of the 2026 season.

This marks a continuation of an extraordinarily bad string of luck for Berrios, who was placed on the injured list for the first time in his career last September, due to inflammation in his throwing elbow. It appears an offseason of rest and recovery did not resolve all that ailed him. With the 31-year-old right-hander now (likely) slated for another trip to the IL, the Blue Jays' rotation plans for Opening Day have become crystal clear.

Blue Jays' rotation competition ends on sour note with Jose Berrios injury news

For the last half-decade, Berríos has been a constant in the Blue Jays' rotation. He's thrown 790.1 innings since being acquired at the 2021 trade deadline, recording a 4.09 ERA and 4.36 FIP in that time.

In fact, he's been remarkably consistent throughout his entire career, having tossed at least 165 innings in every full season since 2018. His first elbow injury last year led to an ugly saga in which he refused to pitch out of the bullpen in the playoffs and stepped away from the team, but he's since apologized for the distraction and was all-in on another run in 2026.

Unfortunately, those plans will need to be put on hold for the time being. The good news is Berrios isn't experiencing any pain-related symptoms, and the plan is for him to resume throwing after a few days off. Had this happened earlier in the spring, he may have had enough time to rehab for the start of the regular season, but given the proximity to Opening Day, he almost certainly won't be able to participate.

That means the Blue Jays' starting five is set, barring any further injury news. Incumbent ace Kevin Gausman will be joined by free-agent acquisition Dylan Cease and top prospect Trey Yesavage atop the rotation, while Cody Ponce and Max Scherzer eat up innings as the Nos. 4 and 5 starters.

In terms of depth, Eric Lauer should get the first crack at starting if anything happens to that quintet, while a smattering of Triple-A starters on the 40-man roster provide the next line of reinforcements. Unless he makes a miraculous recovery over the next few days, expect Berrios to join Shane Bieber and Bowden Francis on the injured list prior to Opening Day.