The Toronto Blue Jays are going to need to adjust their starting rotation for the start of the season.
Jose Berrios won't be available when the season kicks off next week, the team said Wednesday, per Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling.
Berrios was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his right elbow after meeting with Dr. Keith Meister in Texas.
The right-hander was scratched from his spring-training start last week because of elbow inflammation.
Berrios is not experiencing any symptoms. The plan for him is to resume throwing after a few days off.
Berrios made two starts for the Blue Jays this spring, including an impressive four-inning shutout appearance against the New York Yankees.
He was set to join Puerto Rico for the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic; however, the elbow inflammation was revealed during the insurance process, preventing him from joining the team.
The issue is separate from what sidelined the 31-year-old at the end of last season.
Berrios threw 166 innings last season, posting a 4.17 ERA — the second-highest mark of his career when throwing 100-plus innings.
With Berrios likely headed to the injured list to start the season, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that Eric Lauer is "firmly in the mix to be in the rotation."
Lauer went 9-2 with a 3.18 ERA over 104.2 innings in 28 games (15 starts) last season, with 102 strikeouts and just 26 walks allowed. Beyond the strong numbers, he became a vital stabilizing force after his promotion from triple-A Buffalo at the end of April, helping the Blue Jays overcome Max Scherzer’s early-season absence.
0:59
