The Blue Jays' injury woes continue, with José Berríos' health situation being particularly perplexing. The pitcher suffered a stress fracture in his throwing elbow during physicals for the World Baseball Classic, and the injury has since flared up again during a minor league rehab stint. The team is now considering surgery, as manager John Schneider believes there may be loose bodies in Berríos' elbow in addition to the stress fracture. This raises a deeper question: how can the Jays navigate their hectic schedule while dealing with such a complex injury?
One thing that immediately stands out is the team's reliance on a four-man rotation of Dylan Cease, Trey Yesavage, Kevin Gausman, and Patrick Corbin. While this may be a temporary solution, it highlights the team's need for a more stable pitching rotation. In my opinion, the Jays should consider making a trade or acquiring a veteran pitcher to bolster their starting lineup.
What many people don't realize is that the Jays' offense has been struggling without Alejandro Kirk, who is progressing in his rehab and has responded well to catching. The team's wRC+ has dropped to 23rd in the Majors, and the absence of Kirk has been felt. However, the return of Kirk will add a tough out to the lineup and lengthen the group overall.
From my perspective, the Jays should also consider giving Brandon Valenzuela more playing time as Kirk's backup catcher. This could help limit the playing time of Tyler Heineman, who has been struggling at the plate. Additionally, the team should focus on getting Berríos back on the mound as soon as possible, while also ensuring that he is fully recovered and ready to pitch.
In the meantime, the Jays will have to navigate their hectic schedule with a temporary rotation and an offense that is still searching for its stride. It will be interesting to see how the team adapts and responds to these challenges, and whether they can find a way to stay competitive despite the injuries and setbacks.
