Report: Blue Jays making Jose Berrios available out of the bullpen

Originally posted on Bluejaysnation
By Tyson Shushkewich | Last updated Sep 20, 2025 8:03 AM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays are changing things up front. With just over a week to go in the regular season, the Jays are moving Jose Berrios to the bullpen.

The Puerto Rican product was seen warming up in the bullpen last night but was not used in the game. Manager John Schneider spoke to the media following the 20-1 drubbing by the Kansas City Royals last night and discussed Berrios and his role to finish out the regular season.

“I think he is kind of an option if we need him on days like today and will be going forward,” mentioned Schneider. “He can still start for us, but I think, kind of where we are right now, he can be an option out of the pen too. He’ll probably be there throughout the weekend. It’s not comfortable, a guy who has had so many consecutive starts. With the position we’re in now, we’ve said it before, it kind of warrants some tough conversations… had a long talk with him the other day, he’s a professional, there’s a reason Jose Berrios is Jose Berrios. As uncomfortable as it is, I think he gets it.”

"He can be an option out of the pen."

John Schneider speaks on the decision to move Jose Berrios to the bullpen going forward. pic.twitter.com/Vkcgy385m5

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) September 20, 2025

It’s been a turbulent campaign for the veteran right-hander, who owns a 4.06 ERA and a 4.60 FIP through 30 starts. After struggling on Opening Day against the Baltimore Orioles, he owned a 4.24 ERA by the end of April and bounced through the next couple of months, dropping to a 3.26 mark on June 27th after dominating the Boston Red Sox through seven innings and just four hits allowed.

However, his ERA has continued to rise since the start of August, even though the Jays have won five of his last seven starts. Through 32 2/3 innings, he owns a 4.96 ERA and a 5.17 FIP, allowing 18 earned runs off of 37 hits, 10 home runs, and 10 walks. The homers have been an issue for Berrios this season, producing a 1.4 HR/9 with 25 knocks against, while his WHIP sits a 1.293 on the campaign.

Following the trade deadline acquisition of Shane Bieber, the Jays had too many arms in the rotation, resulting in Eric Lauer being moved to the bullpen earlier this month. With the recent promotion and dominant debut performance by Trey Yesavage earlier this week, Schneider found himself in a similar position, and this time, it was Berrios getting the bad news.

Looking ahead, it appears the Jays will run with Bieber, Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, and Max Scherzer to finish the regular campaign (despite Scherzer’s performance last night), with more changes and moves to come in October.

This article first appeared on Bluejaysnation and was syndicated with permission.

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