Blue Jays' Berríos apologizes for 2025 World Series controversy

Veteran pitcher looks to move past issues and focus on 2026 season

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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After an uncomfortable ending to his 2025 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, pitcher José Berríos opened the new year with an apology. Late in the Blue Jays' World Series run, Berríos left the team and returned home to Puerto Rico, which caused some unwanted attention and a potential strain on his relationship with the organization. Berríos acknowledged it was a mistake and has already apologized to his teammates. He is now focused on moving forward and regaining his form as one of the Blue Jays' top starters.

Why it matters

Berríos is a key part of the Blue Jays' rotation and his absence during the 2025 World Series run was a distraction. The team will need him to bounce back and return to his previous All-Star level of performance if they want to make another deep playoff push in 2026.

The details

Berríos said he left the team to be close to his family and continue his rehab, as he was on the injured list and would not have factored into the World Series. However, this decision caused some tension with the organization, particularly after GM Ross Atkins said Berríos was 'not happy' with the situation. Berríos admitted the possibility of not being with the Blue Jays in 2026 crossed his mind, as he was fighting for a spot in the rotation until news of Shane Bieber's injury came.

  • Late in the Blue Jays' 2025 World Series run, Berríos left the team and returned home to Puerto Rico.
  • On Thursday, Berríos opened the new year with an apology to his teammates and the organization.

The players

José Berríos

A veteran pitcher who has been one of the Blue Jays' top starters for the past several seasons.

Ross Atkins

The general manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

John Schneider

The manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The star first baseman for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Shane Bieber

A starting pitcher who was recently reported to have forearm fatigue, impacting the Blue Jays' rotation.

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What they’re saying

“I made one bad decision to go back home to keep working on my rehab and stay close to my family. At that moment, I wasn't pitching and I wasn't feeling great. I wanted to be close to my family. I didn't bring them to Canada because they were going to miss days in school, so I thought of that. I apologize. Maybe I made a bad decision to go back to my home.”

— José Berríos (mlb.com)

“I told the Latin guys and some of the closest players to me. In Spring Training, I've already apologized to them. I told them I understand if they don't agree or aren't happy with me, but that's what I did and I apologized for that. I just want to turn the page as fast as I can and keep working on the same goal.”

— José Berríos (mlb.com)

“My teammates, the coaching staff, everyone treated me the right way.”

— José Berríos (mlb.com)

What’s next

Berríos will look to regain his form and secure a spot in the Blue Jays' starting rotation as the team prepares for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the challenges professional athletes can face when balancing personal and professional commitments, especially during high-pressure playoff runs. Berríos' willingness to take responsibility and apologize to his teammates is a positive step as he looks to move forward and contribute to the Blue Jays' success in 2026.