Blue Jays close to adding all-star pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays are starting to look like themselves again. After a slow start to the 2026 MLB season, largely due to injuries in the starting rotation, the reigning AL East and American League champions are finally getting healthy. And now, another key piece is on the verge of returning. Two-time All-Star José Berríos is close to rejoining the rotation, and it couldn’t come at a better time.

MORE: Red Sox give updates on their injured starting pitchers

Another Arm on the Way Back

Toronto has already seen positive results after getting young arm Trey Yesavage back. Now, Berríos is next. The veteran right-hander is expected to need just one more rehab start before being activated. That final rehab outing might have come yesterday, on May 3rd, now that he has been stretched out to 75+ pitches, signaling he’s nearly ready for full game action.

While Berríos has had his ups and downs since arriving in Toronto via trade from the Minnesota Twins in 2021, his overall value has been undeniable. He’s been:

• Durable (30+ starts in each of the past four seasons)
• Reliable
• A steady presence in the rotation

And right now, that’s exactly what the Blue Jays need.

Why His Return Matters

Toronto’s early struggles were heavily tied to a lack of pitching depth. Injuries forced the team to rely on unproven arms and/or patchwork solutions. While they’ve managed to stay afloat, getting a veteran like Berríos back adds: