Toronto Blue Jays right-hander José Berríos could undergo a procedure for the stress fracture in his elbow he tried to pitch through.
"Surgery is on the table," manager John Schneider said Friday, according to Keegan Matheson of MLB.com. "It's an option at this point. We're just trying to figure out if that's the route we're going to go."
Schneider acknowledged that Berríos doesn't have any ligament damage after the starter met with Dr. Keith Meister earlier in the week. However, the skipper added that "loose bodies" are part of the elbow issue.
Berríos hasn't pitched in the majors this season after being diagnosed with the stress fracture in mid-March. The 31-year-old posted a 10.67 ERA, 1.81 WHIP and 11 strikeouts over 14 1/3 innings in four minor-league rehab starts. He also struggled with reduced fastball velocity.
"He's just trying to make the best decision for now and for the long term," Schneider said. "He's back and forth a little bit on it, I think, and just wants to get it right."
Berríos is owed $19 million this season. He can opt out of the final two years of his deal ($48 million total over 2027 and 2028) following the 2026 campaign after inking a seven-year, $131-million pact in November 2021.
Berríos is one of several Blue Jays starters currently sidelined. Shane Bieber has yet to pitch this year, Max Scherzer is on the 15-day injured list, and Cody Ponce is expected to miss the entire season.
