Buzz News Pulse English
Buzz District Buzz News Pulse
Blog Business Local Politics Tech World

Jose Berrios: Tommy John Surgery, Family, Career Stats

Owen Lucas Mitchell Foster • 2026-07-06 • Reviewed by Sofia Lindberg

When a two-time All-Star pitcher suddenly goes under the knife, it’s never a quiet headline. For Toronto Blue Jays fans, the news that José Berríos underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2026 landed like a fastball to the gut — a reminder of how quickly a rotation can crumble. This article walks through what happened, what the injury means for his season and career, and the personal details that fans are asking about.

Team: Toronto Blue Jays ·
Position: Starting Pitcher ·
Age: 32 (born May 27, 1994) ·
2025 ERA: 4.27 ·
All-Star Selections: 2 (2019, 2021) ·
Tommy John Surgery: May 2026

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • May 20, 2026: Full Tommy John surgery performed by Dr. Keith Meister (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Recovery window: 12–18 months (MLB.com (official league website))
4What’s next

Seven career facts that define the right-hander’s journey so far:

Full Name Jose Orlando Berrios
Birthdate May 27, 1994
Team Toronto Blue Jays
Position Starting Pitcher
MLB Debut 2016
Career ERA 4.27
Notable 2-time All-Star, Tommy John surgery 2026

What is going on with Jose Berrios?

What does his injury mean for the 2026 season?

  • Berríos underwent full Tommy John surgery on May 20, 2026 (MLB.com (official league website))
  • He is expected to miss the remainder of the season (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Recovery timeline is 12–18 months (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network))

The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Texas (ESPN (sports news leader)). Blue Jays manager John Schneider explained that a loose body was found on the ligament, making surgery unavoidable (ESPN (sports news leader)). Sportsnet reported the surgery wasn’t guaranteed until doctors opened the elbow, given complications from a stress fracture and ligament irritation (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network)).

The upshot

For the Blue Jays, losing their No. 2 starter for at least a full season forces the front office to scramble for rotation depth in a division that includes the Yankees and Rays. The 12–14 month recovery window, per Schneider, means 2027 is the earliest realistic return — and even that is optimistic.

Details of Tommy John surgery

  • Surgery date: May 20, 2026 (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Surgeon: Dr. Keith Meister (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Schneider said: “He’ll be down for 12 to 14 months.” (MLB.com (official league website))

FanGraphs noted that Berríos had already been dealing with a stress fracture and made four rehab starts before the ligament gave way (FanGraphs (sabermetrics analysis)). The surgery was a last resort after non-surgical management failed.

Bottom line: Berríos’ 2026 season is over. The Blue Jays face a rotation hole with no quick fix. The front office must decide whether to trade for an arm or trust internal options.

The implication: Toronto’s front office now has to weigh short-term fixes against long-term payroll flexibility.

Is Jose Berrios done for the season?

Will he return in 2026?

  • Confirmed season-ending surgery (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Blue Jays placed him on 60-day IL to open a 40-man roster spot (MLB Trade Rumors (industry blog))

Yes, Berríos is done for the entire 2026 season. Multiple reports confirm he will not pitch again this year (MLB.com (official league website), ESPN (sports news leader)). The Blue Jays transferred him from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list to free a roster spot, a routine procedural move (MLB Trade Rumors (industry blog)).

Bottom line: No return in 2026. The earliest fans can hope for is late 2027, but 2028 is a realistic target. The Blue Jays must plan for two years without their veteran right-hander.

The catch: This timeline puts an expensive contract in limbo, with $24 million per year tied up in a non-performing asset.

How are Berrios and Baez related?

Are they actually brothers-in-law?

Yes, José Berríos and Javier Báez are brothers-in-law. Berríos’ wife, Jannette Berrios, has a sister who is married to the Detroit Tigers shortstop. The connection was confirmed by multiple sources, including Wikipedia (community encyclopedia) and sports media. Báez has occasionally referenced the relationship in interviews, though neither player highlights it often.

Bottom line: They are family by marriage — Berríos’ spouse’s brother-in-law is Báez. Not blood-related, but a known MLB family link.

The pattern: Such family ties are rare in baseball and often become trivia questions for fans.

Does Jose Berrios have any kids?

How many children does he have?

  • The number of children Jose Berrios has is not publicly confirmed in the provided sources

This is one area where public records are thin. While Berríos is married to Jannette, neither MLB.com (official league website), Wikipedia (community encyclopedia), nor major sports outlets have reported a specific number of children. Social media offers occasional glimpses, but nothing concrete has been verified by Berríos or his representatives.

Bottom line: No confirmed information on children. The question remains open — fans should treat unverified social media posts with caution.

The implication: Until Berríos or his camp provides confirmation, the topic remains speculative.

Who is Jose Berrios’s wife sister?

What is her name?

Jannette Berrios is José Berríos’ wife. Her sister (name not widely publicized) is married to Javier Báez. The sister’s full name has not been confirmed in major media. This family triangle is the reason Berríos and Báez are often mentioned together in “brothers-in-law” contexts.

Bottom line: Jannette Berrios is the known spouse; her sister’s name remains private. The connection to Báez is through marriage only.

The catch: The lack of public information about the sister leaves a gap in fans’ understanding of this family link.

Timeline: José Berríos career journey

  • May 27, 1994 — Born in Santa Monica, Puerto Rico (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • 2016 — MLB debut with Minnesota Twins (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • 2019 — First All-Star selection (MLB.com (official league website))
  • July 2021 — Traded to Toronto Blue Jays (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • May 2026 — Undergoes full Tommy John surgery (MLB.com (official league website))

The implication: Berríos’ prime years have been interrupted by the most serious surgery a pitcher can face. His return at age 34 or 35 will test whether the Blue Jays’ investment was worth the wait.

Clarity: What we know vs. what’s still open

Confirmed facts

  • Tommy John surgery performed May 2026 (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Berrios is married and brother-in-law to Javier Báez (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia))
  • Berrios has two All-Star appearances (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Surgeon: Dr. Keith Meister (ESPN (sports news leader))
  • Recovery window: 12–18 months (Sportsnet (Canadian sports network))

What’s unclear

  • Exact return date — end of 2027 or 2028? (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Will Berríos exercise his opt-out after 2026? (MLB.com (Blue Jays contract details))
  • Future contract status: two years at $24M each if he stays (MLB.com (official league website))
  • Number of children not publicly confirmed
  • Full name of Jannette’s sister

The pattern: The split between verified facts and lingering unknowns mirrors the uncertainty around Berríos’ recovery.

Key quotes on Berríos’ surgery and impact

He’ll be down for 12 to 14 months.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider, quoted by MLB.com (official league website)

Berrios will have his surgery this week with Dr. Meister.

Hazel Mae, MLB Network reporter, as reported by The Big Lead (sports news site)

The procedure was not guaranteed until doctors got inside because the diagnosis was complicated by a stress fracture and ligament irritation.

Sportsnet (Canadian sports network), reporting on Berríos’ surgery

These voices — from the manager, a reporter, and a respected media outlet — paint a picture of a surgery that was anything but routine. The uncertainty around the timeline reinforces the severity of the injury.

Summary: The road ahead for Berríos and the Blue Jays

José Berríos’ Tommy John surgery halted what had been a steady, if unspectacular, career as a mid-rotation innings-eater. The Blue Jays now face two seasons without their veteran right-hander, with $24 million per year committed in 2027 and 2028 if he doesn’t opt out. For Toronto’s front office, the choice is clear: find a replacement via trade or free agency, or gamble on internal prospects — while hoping Berríos returns close to his All-Star form at age 34.

Frequently asked questions

What is Jose Berrios’ net worth?

Exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. However, his MLB contract extension with the Blue Jays (signed in 2022) guaranteed $131 million over seven years, including annual salaries around $24 million. As of 2026, he has earned a significant portion of that deal.

How many strikeouts does Jose Berrios have?

As of the end of the 2025 season, Berríos had recorded 1,324 career strikeouts over 10 MLB seasons, according to Wikipedia (community encyclopedia).

What is Jose Berrios’ contract with the Blue Jays?

Berríos signed a seven-year, $131 million extension in 2022. He has two years remaining at $24 million each if he remains with Toronto, with an opt-out after the 2026 season (MLB.com (official league website)).

Who is Jose Berrios’ wife?

His wife is Jannette Berrios. They were married in 2021. She is the sister-in-law of Javier Báez (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

Is Jose Berrios related to any other MLB players?

Yes, through marriage. He is the brother-in-law of Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez, as his wife’s sister is married to Báez.

What pitches does Jose Berrios throw?

Berríos is known for a four-seam fastball, a curveball (often called his “hammer” curve), a changeup, and a sinker. His curveball has been one of the most effective breaking balls in the league during his prime (Wikipedia (community encyclopedia)).

When will Jose Berrios return from Tommy John surgery?

Based on MLB.com (official league website) and Sportsnet (Canadian sports network) reports, the recovery window is 12–18 months. A return near the end of the 2027 season is possible, but 2028 is also a realistic scenario.

The pattern: Many of these questions lack definitive answers, reflecting the ongoing uncertainty around Berríos’ future.

Related reading

The Blue Jays now must navigate a critical two-year window without their veteran starter.



Owen Lucas Mitchell Foster

About the author

Owen Lucas Mitchell Foster

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.