New clubhouse leader emerges

Ace starter Berrios steps to the plate in a time of need for ballclub

- MIKE WILNER

As the Blue Jays struggle to get back to the break-even mark, a place they haven't been since waking up April 30 at 15-15, a new voice has emerged as part of the leadership group in the clubhouse.

José Berríos started the Jays' last game of 2023 and their first game of 2024 and in between decided it was time to make his presence felt.

"I'm being more vocal and also I feel more confident now," Berríos said after his last start, a 9-3 win over the White Sox on Monday, his team-leading fifth victory of the season.

There are a few reasons that the 29-year-old has decided to take a larger role in the room: He is in his ninth big-league season and fourth in Toronto; he has been a rotation stalwart, not missing a start since coming to the Jays in July 2021; he's been the Jays' opening-day starter in two of the last three seasons. But the biggest reason is the way last year ended.

It was a game that will live in infamy with Jays fans until the team's next playoff success, whenever that may come. In a win-or-go-home wild-card-round game in Minnesota, Berríos was lifted after a leadoff walk in the fourth inning despite having not allowed a run and striking out five of the 12 batters he had faced to that point.