The Los Angeles Dodgers will face a Toronto Blue Jays team missing one of its biggest arms. Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed Monday that All-Star right-hander José Berríos will not be on Toronto’s World Series roster after missing nearly a month with right elbow inflammation.
“Berríos has resumed throwing,” Schneider told reporters, “but he will not return for the Fall Classic.” The news removes a key weapon from Toronto’s rotation as the Dodgers aim to defend their championship and become baseball’s first back-to-back winners in nearly a quarter-century.
Berríos’ last start came on Sept. 16, and his final appearance was a brief relief outing on Sept. 24 before being shut down. It’s the first time in his 10-year career that he’s landed on the injured list. According to Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith, Berríos should have a normal offseason, but his 2025 campaign is officially over.
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Blue Jays Rotation Adjusts Without Their Ace
Vote For Your Favorite Dodgers Duo: Ohtani – Yamamoto, Betts – Freeman, Hernandez – Hernandez
Even without Berríos, Toronto’s pitching staff remains dangerous. Kevin Gausman, Trey Yesavage, and Chris Bassitt will headline the Blue Jays’ rotation against a Dodgers lineup built around Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman.
Gausman — once drafted by the Dodgers — has been stellar this postseason, posting a 2.00 ERA over 18 innings. Rookie Trey Yesavage has become a breakout story with three playoff starts, including an 11-strikeout gem against the Yankees in the ALDS. Bassitt, recently activated from the IL, has been perfect through 2.2 postseason innings.
Toronto’s pitching depth has carried the club, limiting opponents to a .238 average in the postseason despite the absence of their All-Star.
Slight Edge for Los Angeles
For Los Angeles, Berríos’ absence offers a small advantage, but the challenge remains steep. The Dodgers have hit .252 with a .770 OPS against right-handed starters this season — numbers that underscore their consistency rather than dominance.
As the World Series opens, the Dodgers’ push for a repeat title will run through a resilient Toronto staff and a hungry Blue Jays team chasing its first championship since 1993. Berríos may be out, but the intensity of this matchup is anything but diminished.
