Jose Berrios gets the call for Blue Jays opening day start

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DUNEDIN, Fla. — His teammates and coaching staff call him La Makina — the machine — for all that he brings to the Blue Jays starting rotation.

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And Toronto right hander Jose Berrios loves the handle, given what it represents with regards to his renowned work ethic.

That consistency as his calling card was part of the reason manager John Schneider named Berrios as his opening day starter on Monday, a coveted assignment for any starter.

The native of Puerto Rico gets the ball on open day for the second consecutive season — and his third as a Blue Jay — when his team opens at home against the Baltimore Orioles next Thursday.

“We have a group of guys that you can kind of pick out of a hat,” Schneider said of his veteran-heavy starting depth. “But I think we’re just really excited with the work that he’s put in body of work over his career is awesome.

“That and the type of teammate that he is.”

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Berrios was thrilled with the news, especially with the Jays raising the curtain at home for the first time in three seasons.

“It’s a special day for me and even more special because my three kids are growing up and they now understand what that means to me,” Berrios said. “Usually there is a lot of emotion but I’ve put myself in a position to handle that. Right now I’m physically and mentally to handle that day.”

That poise is a big plus for Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker, who are handling a mostly veteran staff. Schneider said Kevin Gausman will follow Berrios with the rest of the order to be determined.

“We have a bunch of guys who (are consistent) and we knew that about him before we even acquired him,” Schneider said. “You know what you’re going to get and that’s a really comforting feeling for a manager and a pitching coach.”

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The rest of the rotation will have to sort itself out, given the health concerns around newcomer Max Scherzer, who continues to be troubled by a sore right thumb. The expectation would be that veteran Chris Bassitt would follow Gausman, but that remains to be seen.

Schneider believes that Berrios has a good disposition to handle the “hoopla” of opening day.

“Your routine has to be adjusted a little bit,” Schneider said of dealing with the trappings of the opening day festivities. “Some guys like it. Some guys don’t. But I think the fact that he’s done it, maybe played a little bit into it.”

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The opening day gig will be the fifth of Berrios’ career after getting the call twice with the Minnesota Twins prior to being acquired by the Jays.

“When they gave me the news, it was emotional for me,” said Berrios, who will have one more scheduled spring start on Friday. “I was excited and proud and happy. It’s amazing. I have to be honest — I work for that. That’s why they call me La Makina.

“I work hard every day to try to stay healthy and durable and do well out there.”

The Jays would certainly like a repeat of the righty’s 2024 opening day effort when he went six innings in an 8-2 Toronto win over Tampa Bay.

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