The Toronto Blue Jays are moving right-hander Jose Berrios to the bullpen going forward, manager John Schneider told reporters after Friday’s game against the Kansas City Royals.
“He’s a professional. There’s a reason Jose Berrios is Jose Berrios. As uncomfortable as it is, I think he gets it. That’s kind of where we are right now,” Schneider said via MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.
Berrios has been up and down this season, especially over his most recent outings. He allowed six runs (two earned) in two innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Sept. 2, but was far better in his next outing, going 5.1 innings and allowing only two runs against the Houston Astros last Wednesday.
However, in his most recent start Wednesday against the Rays in Tampa, Berrios allowed three runs in four innings and did not record a strikeout.
His ERA for the season in 30 starts sits at 4.06, essentially right at his career average of 4.07.
The move comes four days after Trey Yesavage was impressive in his MLB debut. The 22-year-old went five innings and allowed just one run with nine strikeouts against the Rays.
The Blue Jays had a chance to lock up a postseason berth Friday night with a win and a pair of losses by the Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians or Boston Red Sox, but were hammered 20-1 by the Royals.
Max Scherzer, whose ERA sits significantly higher than Berrios’ on the season at 5.06, allowed seven earned runs in 0.2 innings. Berrios did not get into Friday’s game, but was sitting in the bullpen during the matchup.
Toronto will continue their series against the Royals Saturday evening, sending Shane Bieber to the hill against Noah Cameron.
