Blue Jays notebook: José Berríos sharp in final tuneup for opening day, clock ticking on Nate Pearson

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This article was published 02/04/2022 (1329 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DUNEDIN, Fla.—A rainstorm forced the Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies to abandon Saturday’s Grapefruit League game after five innings, tied 2-2. But that was long enough for a reminder of how much they stand to benefit from a full season of José Berríos, and the addition of Matt Chapman.

Berríos pitched all five frames against a regular-season calibre lineup. And while the top of Philadelphia’s order dinged the right-hander for two runs in the first inning, Toronto’s opening day starter was dealing from that point on.

“That’s his best start of spring training,” Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “His ball has so much action. First inning was so-so, but after that he was really good. He was the Berríos that we know.”

And that first could have been a worse if not for Chapman, who made a couple of difficult plays look routine at third base and limited the damage. He also homered in the fifth inning to tie it.

“You don’t get used to (Chapman’s defensive play) because it’s fun … He’s going to make us so much better,” Montoyo said of the sure-handed third baseman, acquired last month in a trade with Oakland. “He already has.”

Jays pitchers led the American League in ground balls to third last year, the manager added, so having Chapman there is a game-changer. “Go ahead” and keep hitting that way, said Montoyo.

Berríos threw his last 20 pitches in the cage after a torrential downpour.

The Jays will open at home on Friday night against the Texas Rangers after a shortened spring training. Berríos says his ability to throw off-speed pitches for strikes at any time in the count, and how good he has felt between outings, are signs that he’s good to go: “I’m ready to do a show for the fans.”

Now playing

Seven Jays made MLB Network’s annual list of the Top 100 Players Right Now: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (No. 8), Bo Bichette (32), George Springer (33), Teoscar Hernández (65), Kevin Gausman (74), Chapman (83) and Berríos (97). Only the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros and Chicago White Sox had more. Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout ranked one-two.

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Roster notes

Jays right-hander Nate Pearson continued to feel ill Saturday and was sent home for the day: “We’re running out of time,” Montoyo said of a roster decision on Pearson, who has twice tested negative for COVID-19 and hasn’t pitched since March 26 … Lefty Ryan Borucki was set for an MRI on his right hamstring as a precaution after slipping on the mound against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday … Closer Jordan Romano felt good after Friday’s bullpen session. He suffered a mild ankle sprain earlier in the week while walking his dog, and is expected to be fine for opening day.

Fifth element

Fifth starter Yusei Kikuchi will stay in Florida after the rest of the team heads north on Tuesday. Kikuchi, signed as a free agent, will pitch Wednesday before rejoining the club in time for the opener at the Rogers Centre. He’s scheduled to make his Jays regular-season debut on April 12 against the Yankees in New York.

Laura Armstrong is a Star sports reporter based in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @lauraarmy