Blue Jays' Berríos joining Puerto Rico for WBC quarterfinals

Puerto Rico will get a boost in the next round of the World Baseball Classic, as Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos has been cleared to join his national team for the next leg of the tournament.

Puerto Rico manager Yadier Molina said the Blue Jays signed off on Berríos participating earlier Tuesday.

"We got the news today, so he's going to be available for the second round," Molina said ahead of his team's matchup against Canada, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. "He's in. So I'm happy for that news."

Molina didn't specify when Berríos would pitch for Puerto Rico. His most recent spring training outing was on March 6, which would put him in line for a quarterfinal start on either six or seven days' rest, depending on Puerto Rico's draw.

The appearance will mark Berríos' fourth in the WBC, having pitched for Puerto Rico in each of the previous three tournaments.

Berríos was one of several Puerto Rican players who weren't included on the team's initial roster due to insurance issues. The 31-year-old finished 2025 on the injured list due to elbow inflammation and missed the Blue Jays' run to the World Series.

He's looked sharp in Grapefruit League action thus far, posting a 3.38 ERA and 1.13 WHIP with seven strikeouts and four walks over 10 2/3 spring innings for Toronto.

Puerto Rico, which is hosting Pool A in San Juan, clinched a spot in the WBC quarterfinals for the first time since 2017 with its win over Cuba on Monday. A win over Canada on Tuesday would secure top spot in Pool A for the Puerto Ricans and send the team to Houston for a quarterfinal date with the Pool B runner-up.