Blue Jays Place Jose Berrios on IL with Elbow Injury

The Toronto Blue Jays just can’t seem to catch a break. Veteran right-hander José Berríos is headed to the injured list with an elbow issue.

This setback hits at a rough time. The team’s already dealing with inconsistency and a pitching staff that’s looking thinner by the day.

Manager John Schneider admitted Berríos has been trying to pitch through the problem for a while. The Blue Jays had already planned to pull him from the rotation before making his injury official, which really says a lot about how bad things have gotten.

Now, with the pitching plan in shambles, they’ve recalled Paxton Schultz and are turning to Louis Varland for a bullpen game against the Boston Red Sox. It’s a scramble to keep the season from sliding off the rails.

The Impact of José Berríos’s Injury

For the first time in his career, José Berríos lands on the injured list. At 31, he’s been that rare durable guy for years, so this elbow problem is new for both him and the Jays’ staff.

His recent move from starter to reliever was supposed to help his arm recover, but his first relief outing was rough—three earned runs, two hits, and two walks in just two innings.

Losing Berríos only adds to Toronto’s pitching headaches. Chris Bassitt, another important starter, isn’t available right now either.

A Struggling Team Under Pressure

The Blue Jays are in a slump—six losses in their last seven games. That’s taken the wind out of their sails and put more heat on everyone, from players to coaches.

Without two veteran arms, Schneider’s left with tough rotation choices and not many ways to stop the bleeding early in games.

Depth matters in today’s baseball. When two big arms go down at once, the team’s playoff hopes start to feel pretty shaky, especially if the losing streak drags on.

Next Man Up: Paxton Schultz and Louis Varland

Trying to plug the gaps, the Jays have called up Paxton Schultz from the minors. Schultz, 27, has pitched in 13 big league games this year, with a 4.38 ERA.

That’s not dominant, but it’s solid enough for shorter relief work. He’ll need to eat up some innings and give the bullpen a break in the weeks ahead.

On Thursday, they’ll go with a bullpen game against the Boston Red Sox, starting with Louis Varland. It’s not the usual approach, but sometimes these bullpen games work if each guy does his job and doesn’t run out of gas.

The Risks of a Bullpen-Centric Approach

Leaning on the bullpen for multiple games in a row is risky business. Relievers can get tired fast, and that’s when mistakes start piling up—or worse, late-game meltdowns happen.

With the team already sliding, just one or two bad relief appearances could make things even uglier. The front office and coaching staff have to juggle chasing wins now with keeping enough arms healthy for the rest of the year. Not exactly an easy call.

Key Takeaways for the Season Ahead

This whole situation shows how quickly injuries can mess with even the best-laid plans in baseball. For fans keeping tabs, here’s what’s worth watching in the next few weeks:

• The status of José Berríos’s elbow—when will he be healthy enough to pitch again?
• Paxton Schultz’s performance as he takes on a bigger role in the majors.
• Can Louis Varland and the bullpen hold things together during opener games?
• Will the team find a way to snap out of this ugly 1-6 skid?

A Crucial Stretch for Toronto

Divisional rivals keep gaining ground. The Blue Jays don’t have much room for mistakes right now.

Every game without their top pitchers really tests the team’s depth and creativity. José Berríos needs to focus on recovering, no question.

The rest of the roster? They’ve got a shot to step up and show that Toronto’s 2024 run isn’t finished yet.

Honestly, these next few weeks might shape the whole season.

 
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