17 Jose Berrios SP

Berrios signed a one-year, $6.1 million deal with the Twins on Wednesday to avoid arbitration, Dan Hayes of The Athletic reports.

The 26-year-old made 12 starts during the shortened season and had a 4.00 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 68:26 K:BB over 63 innings. Berrios increased his fastball velocity a full tick to 94.3 mph, though that helped result in his highest walk rate (9.6 percent) since his rookie season.

Berrios allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four over five innings in a no-decision against the Astros on Wednesday in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series.

The Twins were eliminated from the playoffs with a 3-1 loss, but the blame doesn't fall on Berrios, who was spotless outside of the fourth inning. Berrios' ERA reached an even 4.00 during the regular season after three straight years in the high-3.00s. His average fastball velocity was up a fair amount, fueling a small jump in strikeout rate. Unfortunately, there was an even greater uptick in walks and some are left wondering if there is a next level to Berrios' game.

Berrios (5-4) allowed four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out seven over five innings in a loss to the Reds on Friday.

Mike Moustakas and Freddy Galvis both pulled fastballs to right field for homers against Berrios, accounting for most of the damage against the right-hander. Berrios did not have a bad 2020 regular season, but it was just OK, and he disappointed slightly based on expectations. The 26-year-old turned in a 4.00 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 68:26 K:BB in 63 innings. He figures to slot in behind Kenta Maeda in the postseason rotation.

Berrios (5-3) allowed four hits and a walk and struck out four in six innings in a win over the Cubs on Sunday.

Berrios was at just about his best Sunday, throwing 54 of his 85 pitches for strikes in a dominant display against the Cubs. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.72 with a 1.31 WHIP and 61 strikeouts in 58 innings this year. He'll look for win No. 6 in his final start of the regular season, currently projected for next Sunday versus the Reds.

Berrios gave up one run on six hits and a walk and struck out two over five innings in a no-decision versus the White Sox on Monday.

The only run against Berrios came on a Nick Madrigal single in the second inning. It's the third time in his last five starts Berrios has allowed one run or fewer. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 4.15 with a 1.37 WHIP and 57 strikeouts across 52 innings this year. Berrios is expected to make his next start this weekend versus the Cubs.

Berrios (4-3) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks over five-plus innings. He struck out eight.

The right-hander carried a shutout into the sixth inning before a walk to Kolten Wong, a Tommy Edman homer and a Paul Goldschmidt single ended his night after 101 pitches (65 strikes). Fortunately for Berrios, the Twins already had a 5-0 lead at that point. He's now won three of his last four outings, posting a 2.78 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 31:9 K:BB through 22.2 innings over that stretch, and Berrios will look to keep his win streak going in his next start Sunday at home against Cleveland.

Berrios (3-3) earned the win Wednesday after holding the White Sox to one run on three hits and two walks while striking out eight across six innings.

Berrios contained the White Sox on Wednesday, limiting the damage to an RBI groundout by Jose Abreu. The 26-year-old showed better command this time around. He only issued two free passes, an improvement after handing out three or more walks in four of his previous five starts. Despite somewhat of an inconsistent season thus far, Berrios has compiled three wins and sports a 4.29 ERA and 1.38 WHIP across eight appearances. The right-hander will look to continue his success Tuesday at St. Louis.

Berrios gave up three runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out six over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus Cleveland on Wednesday.

The biggest hit against Berrios was a three-run blast from Jose Ramirez in the third inning. Wednesday was the second time in seven starts Berrios has allowed more than 10 baserunners. The righty has a 4.75 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 39:18 K:BB in 36 innings this season. He's expected to make his next start Monday versus the White Sox.

Berrios (2-3) earned the win against Milwaukee on Thursday, completing six scoreless innings and allowing one hit and one walk while striking out nine.

Berrios was masterful in the performance, striking out eight of the first 13 batters he faced and holding the Brewers hitless until the fifth inning. The right-hander notched his second quality start of the season while setting his season high in strikeouts (nine). Berrios entered the contest having lost his previous two starts, allowing eight earned runs over 9.1 innings in the pair of performances. He'll try to build upon Thursday's strong outing in a road matchup against Cleveland on Tuesday.

Berrios (1-3) took the loss in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Royals, giving up four runs on five hits and four walks over four innings. He struck out seven.

The right-hander fought his control again, throwing only 50 of 84 pitches for strikes, but he was locked a 1-1 tie until he threw a changeup to Whit Merrifield in the fourth inning that caught too much of the plate and got deposited in the seats. Berrios has issued at least three free passes in three straight starts -- a baffling display from a pitcher who posted a 6.1 percent walk rate last year -- leading to a 5.92 ERA and a 24:13 K:BB through 24.1 innings. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing Friday, a road rematch with the Royals.

Berrios (1-2) allowed four earned runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out four across 5.1 innings to take the loss Sunday against the Royals.

Berrios allowed five baserunners and three earned runs through three innings. He appeared to settle in after that, though he was tagged again in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Maikel Franco. Berrios continued to have trouble finding the strike zone, increasing his walk rate to 4.0 BB/9 across 20.1 innings this season. Berrios will look to get on track in his next start, currently scheduled for Saturday in a rematch against Kansas City.

Berrios (1-1) earned the win Tuesday versus the Pirates after allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He had six strikeouts and three walks.

The right-hander had a rough start to the season as he allowed five runs Opening Day, but he surrendered only three runs on seven hits over his past two outings. Berrios has a 4.80 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and a 13:6 K:BB through three starts this season, and he next lines up to pitch Sunday at Kansas City.

Berrios (0-1) took the loss in Thursday's matchup against Cincinnati, hurling five innings and allowing two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out six.

Berrios' second start of the season was a vast improvement over his initial outing, during which he gave up five runs across four innings. However, the right-hander was overmatched by a dominant Shane Bieber and handed his first loss of 2020. Berrios was pulled after five innings due to racking up a hefty 96 pitches, though the only real damage against him was a third inning home run off the bat of Francisco Lindor. Berrios will look for his first win of the campaign Tuesday when he faces Pittsburgh at home in his next scheduled start.

Berrios did not factor into the decision against the White Sox on Friday, throwing four innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out one.

Berrios had no issue getting the ball over the plate -- 52 of his 75 pitches were strikes -- but he struggled deceiving Chicago hitters, registering only one strikeout while giving up three extra-base hits in his four innings of work. Yoan Moncada was responsible for much of the damage, setting up Chicago's first run with a double in the first inning and torching Berrios for a three-run homer in the following frame. The consolation for Berrios is that opposing starter Lucas Giolito was knocked around even more frequently, allowing Minnesota to emerge with the win and Berrios to walk away with a no-decision. The right-hander will look for a more effective outing when he faces off against St. Louis on Wednesday in his next scheduled start.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli announced Berrios will start Opening Day against the White Sox on July 24, MLB.com reports.

Berrios will throw in Saturday's intrasquad scrimmage as his last outing before the start of the regular season. He threw 73 pitches Monday and has looked sharp in summer camp.

Berrios threw around 45 pitches over three simulated innings Friday and reached 95-96 mph with his fastball in the first inning, MLB.com reports.

Berrios spent the pandemic shutdown throwing a bullpen session every Tuesday and faced hitters Fridays, the report adds. It sounds like Berrios is in top shape and should be ready for the start of the season. A short season could benefit Berrios, as he's made two consecutive All-Star teams, but he faded in the second half the past two years. Berrios had a 3.00 ERA before last year's All-Star break, and 4.64 ERA in the second half.

Berrios was officially named the Twins' Opening Day starter Wednesday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Berrios, still just 25 years old, has developed into the Twins' ace, winning 14 games last season with a 3.68 ERA, so it's hardly surprising to see him make his second straight Opening Day start. If he can repeat the feat in 2021, he'll become the first Twins pitcher to make three straight Opening Day starts since Brad Radke did so from 1999 to 2005.

Berrios threw two scoreless innings with four strikeouts in Sunday's spring training win over Toronto. He reached 95 miles per hour with his fastball, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.

The Twins are making plans to reduce his workouts during the season in order to try to give him more endurance in the second half after he struggled after the All-Star break for a second consecutive season. (He had a 5.83 ERA over his last eight starts in 2019.) Berrios looks set to remain a steady presence at the top of the Minnesota rotation and could take a leap forward if he can avoid another late-season decline.

Berrios will make $4.025 million in 2020 after losing his arbitration case, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.

Berrios was asking for $4.4 million, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. The 25-year-old made 32 starts for the Twins in 2019, posting a 3.68 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 195:51 K:BB across 200.1 innings.

Berrios was named the starter for Game 1 of the American League Division Series against the Yankees on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

The right-hander will take the mound for the first game of the ALDS against James Paxton, manager Rocco Baldelli announced Thursday. Berrios carries a 195:51 K:BB with a 14-8 record over 32 starts this season, although he has allowed a career-high 26 home runs.