The Toronto Blue Jays' pitching staff has taken yet another hit, and this time it's José Berríos facing an uncertain future. Manager John Schneider revealed Friday that surgery is "on the table" for the veteran right-hander, who has been battling elbow issues during his rehab starts.

"It's an option at this point," Schneider said. "We're just trying to figure out if that's the route we're going to go."

Berríos recently met with renowned elbow specialist Dr. Keith Meister, though Schneider emphasized there's no ligament damage involved—at least as far as he knows. Instead, the focus appears to be on "loose bodies" in the elbow, likely related to the stress fracture Berríos pitched through during spring training without issue at the time. However, his last two rehab outings have been concerning, with reduced velocity and lingering soreness.

This injury is especially tough for a pitcher who had been a model of durability. Berríos didn't miss a single start for six straight seasons—32 starts per year—until 2025, when he missed just two. In an era where pitcher injuries and Tommy John surgeries are almost routine, his track record had been remarkable.

Now, at 31 years old, Berríos faces a career-defining decision. He has an opt-out clause after this season, with two years and $24 million per year remaining on the seven-year, $131 million contract he signed with Toronto in 2021. But with this injury dragging on, that opt-out looks increasingly irrelevant.

"He's just trying to make the best decision for now and for the long term," Schneider said, adding that Berríos will have the final say. "He's back and forth a little bit on it, I think, and just wants to get it right."

For Blue Jays fans, this is another tough chapter in a season that's already tested the depth of their pitching staff. Whether Berríos goes under the knife or tries to rehab his way back, one thing is clear: this decision will shape not only his season but potentially the rest of his career.