Betts: Berrios named Blue Jays' Opening Day starter

Right-hander Jose Berrios has been named the Toronto Blue Jays Opening Day starter. Photo: Toronto Blue Jays

March 17, 2025

By Matt Betts

Canadian Baseball Network

The Toronto Blue Jays had options when deciding on their Opening Day starter.

But in the end, it always made sense that it’d be José Berríos.

It’s the fifth time in his career, and third as a Blue Jay, that he’ll toe the rubber to open the season.

“We had a group of guys you could pick out of a hat,” manager John Schneider said.

“Really excited with the work that he’s put in. The body of work over his career is awesome and the type of teammate that he is and continuing to move forward as a pitcher with the stuff he’s been doing in camp is encouraging.”

Veterans Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer are the others that were likely in consideration. But with Bassitt coming off a down year by his standards and Scherzer dealing with a thumb issue late in camp, it’s no surprise Berríos was the choice.

Gausman will start Game 2 of the opening weekend series against the Orioles, with the three, four and five spots in the rotation yet to be decided, Schneider said.

“It’s a model of consistency,” Schneider said of Berríos’ preparation and performance.

“It rubs off and I think everyone can take a little of what he does. It sets the standard of what we’re trying to do here.”

The last time Berríos started Opening Day at Rogers Centre in 2022, it quickly became a forgettable outing.

The game got underway with a Brad Miller 412-foot solo shot.

He’d go on to record just one out and surrender four runs on three hits and a walk in an eventual 10-8 win over the Texas Rangers.

Berríos will make one more start this spring, likely Friday, Schneider thinks. Gausman is likely to pitch once more in a minor league game before Opening Day on March 27.

After his six scoreless innings on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves, Berríos admitted the announcement had been on his mind.

And on Monday, he expressed excitement for the opportunity.

“It was a lot of emotion, I was happy, excited, proud,” he said.

“It’s like when I was a young kid and you have that first day of school and you’re happy and excited.”

The preparation for the start began long ago when spring got underway back in February.

Regardless of if he started Game 1 or 5, he knew he’d be ramping up this final week of camp to ensure he’s ready for the season.

“We’re put in a position to be ready to know how to handle that,” he said.

“Right now I’m good, physically and mentally, for that day.”

And it doesn’t hurt he has confidence in the four starters who will follow his lead.

“It’s an amazing pitching rotation,” Berríos said.

“We have a lot of veterans and good talent. It’s special because you learn from them every day.”