José Berríos will take the mound for the Toronto Blue Jays on Opening Day when they take on the Tampa Bay Rays on March 28, manager John Schneider said on Tuesday.
The Blue Jays are dealing with a rash of injuries on the mound including a shoulder injury to ace Kevin Gausman which ruled him out for the Opening Day job.
Berríos has enjoyed a strong Spring Training, starting four games and pitching 13 innings to the tune of a 1.38 ERA. He has nine strikeouts so far in Spring ball and could make one more Grapefruit League appearance on March 22 or 23.
This will be Berríos’ second Opening Day start with the Blue Jays after being selected to take the mound in 2022.
Following a disappointing 2022 season, his first full season in Toronto, Berríos bounced back with the Blue Jays last year, finishing with an 11-12 record and a solid 3.65 ERA in 189 and two-thirds innings pitched. He also earned the first Gold Glove of his career.
Zach Eflin will take the mound for the Tampa Bay Rays as they also deal with a shorthanded rotation without the likes of Shane McLanahan, Shane Baz and Taj Bradley.
