José Orlando Berríos...Pronounced beh-REE-ohs...Husband to Jannieliz and father to three...Favourite player growing up was Iván Rodríguez...If he wasn’t a baseball player, he would be a teacher...Was a 2012 graduate of Papa Juan XXIII High School, one of two players from that high school to be drafted, joining C Rene Rivera in 2001...Named 2011 Underclass High Honorable Mention and 2012 Rawlings Second-team All-American...Played for Puerto Rico in the 2013, 2017 and 2023 World Baseball Classics...Brother-in-law of Tigers infielder Javier Báez as their wives are sisters...Was in Báez’s wedding party in the winter of 2019...Over the winter of 2018-19, donated gym equipment and $20,000 to Casa los Forjadores de Esperanza to improve their facilities...The facility is an orphanage in his hometown of Bayamón, Puerto Rico...Through his foundation, La Makina Foundation, co-hosted “La Gente de Barrio Home Run Derby and Celebrity Softball Game” in Bayamón on Dec. 9, 2023, along with Blue Jays teammate, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and his VG27 Foundation... Proceeds from the event supported community initiatives in both Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic...Was named the Blue Jays’ Roberto Clemente Award Nominee in 2025.
2025
Became the first pitcher from Puerto Rico to start at least five season openers while no other hurler from Puerto Rico has started more than three times on Opening Day (Javier Vázquez and Jaime Navarro made three)...Since making his first start with the Blue Jays on Aug. 1, 2021, has recorded 76 quality starts, trailing only Framber Valdez (87) and Luis Castillo (79) for the most in the AL over that span...Is one of four pitchers in MLB to make 30+ starts in each of the last five seasons (2021-25), alongside Kevin Gausman, Dylan Cease and Patrick Corbin...Threw 6.1 innings on Aug. 23 at MIA, surrendering two runs on four hits and zero walks with eight strikeouts...Marked his 14th quality start of the season...Allowed just a pair of hits and four walks over 5.1 scoreless frames with three punchouts, on Aug. 12 vs. CHC, while limiting hitters to an 86.2 MPH average exit velocity...Tossed 6.0 innings of two-run ball on five hits and two walks with six punchouts on July 25 at DET...Marked his 13th quality start on the year...Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on two hits and two walks with four punchouts on July 7 AT CWS...Threw 7.0 shutout frames on June 27 at BOS, scattering four hits and a walk with eight strikeouts (91 pitches, 65 strikes)... Induced 14 whiffs on the night, including 10 with his slurve...Allowed just a single unearned run over a season-high 7.2 frames of work on June 21 vs. CWS, scattering two hits and three walks with five strikeouts (98 pitches, 58 strikes)...Threw 6.2 shutout innings on four hits and two walks with one strikeout on June 9 at STL..Marked his fifth consecutive quality start...Extended his scoreless streak to 10.2 innings...Tossed 6.0 innings of one-run ball on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts on June 4 vs. PHI, while holding hitters to an 86.0 MPH AVG exit velocity...Tossed 6.0 shutout innings on two hits and two walks with a season-high-tying nine strikeouts (also: May 7 at LAA) on May 29 vs. ATH… Struck out seven of the first nine batters he faced, tying his most through the first 3.0 innings of a game in his career (also: June 4, 2022 vs. MIN & June 24, 2018 vs. TEX)..Tossed 6.0+ innings of two-run ball on five hits and five walks with a season-high nine strikeouts on May 7 vs. LAA...Struck out a career-high six consecutive batters from the first to the third inning, becoming one of six Blue Jays pitchers to do so in a game, trailing only Alek Manoah (7 on July 12, 2022) for the most in franchise history...Threw 6 2/3 innings of two-run ball on seven hits and a walk with eight strikeouts on May 1 vs. BOS….Notched 13 whiffs and 17 called strikes to go along with a 69.3% strike rate (61 strikes on 88 pitches)..Tossed his first scoreless outing of the season April 25 vs. NYY, going 5.1 frames with five hits, two walks, and four strikeouts...Was his first scoreless outing in his 15 career meetings with the Yankees...On April 7 at BOS, tossed a season-high 7.0 innings of one-run ball on four hits and three walks with a pair of strikeouts... Earned his 100th career win, becoming one of just 15 active players to reach the mark...Made his fifth career Opening Day start (3rd as a Blue Jay) on March 27 vs. BAL, surrendering six runs on nine hits and a walk with five strikeouts…Joined Roy Halladay (2003-09); Dave Stieb (1983, 1985-86, 1991) and Jimmy Key (1987-89) as the only pitchers to start on Opening Day on at least three occasions for the Blue Jays (also: 2022 & 2024).
2024
Won a career-high 16 games in 2024 while matching his career-bests in starts (32) and quality starts (21)...Has made 32 starts in each of the last six non-shortened seasons, joining Aaron Nola as the only hurlers to do so...Among American League pitchers, ranked T-2nd in wins (16), fourth in innings pitched (192.1), T-5th in starts (32), T-5th in quality starts (21), 15th in ERA (3.60) and 15th in opponents’ average (.235)...Joined Dave Stieb (1982-85) as the only pitchers in franchise history to record at least 32 starts and 140 strikeouts in three straight seasons (2022-24)...Made 12 starts of 7.0+ innings while allowing two earned runs or fewer this season, trailing only Logan Webb (14) for the most in the Majors...Threw 6.0+ innings in 10 of his 13 starts at home this season...Is the first Blue Jays pitcher to record 10+ wins at home in a single season since J.A. Happ in 2016 (11)...The Blue Jays were 12-3 this season when Berríos started at Rogers Centre, and 20-3 overall when he pitched at least six frames...Was the Opening Day starter for the Blue Jays on March 28 at TB, marking the fourth time in his career and the second time as a Blue Jay...Earned the win on the day, allowing a pair of runs on six hits and a walk over six innings...Recorded six strikeouts, the most by a Blue Jays starter in the season opener since Marcus Stroman (seven) in 2019...Pitched the Blue Jays Home Opener on April 8 vs. SEA, tossing 6.2 scoreless innings (4H, BB, 6K)...Began the season with three consecutive quality starts for the third time in his career (also: 2017 & 2019)...Pitched seven shutout innings on April 14 vs. COL, scattering a pair of hits and a pair of walks with a season-high seven strikeouts...Marked his fourth straight quality start to begin the season, doing so for the second time in his career (also: 2019)...Improved to 4-0 on the season on April 20 at SD, tossing six shutout frames while scattering five hits and a pair of walks with six strikeouts...Extended his scoreless innings streak to a career-best 21.2 frames...His 0.85 ERA through his first five starts of the season was the lowest in franchise history...It’s the lowest ERA in any single-season five-start span in Blue Jays history since Roy Halladay’s 0.68 mark from May 10-June 3, 2005...Threw his fifth career complete game on April 25 at KC, giving up two runs on three hits and three walks over 5.0 innings with a strikeout...Had his career-best scoreless innings streak snapped at 22.1 frames...Marked his first complete game since July 19, 2021 at CWS and his second at Kauffman Stadium (Sept. 29, 2019)...His 1.23 ERA through his first six starts was the lowest in franchise history...Took the loss on April 30 vs. KC, pitching seven innings while allowing a pair of runs on five hits with a walk and three strikeouts...Surrendered two runs or fewer in seven straight starts to begin a season, the most by a non-opener in franchise history...Was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for March/April, his first career Pitcher of the Month Award, and the first Blue Jay to win one since Alek Manoah in Sept./Oct. 2022...The Bayamón, PR, native is the fourth Puerto Rican-born pitcher to win the award and the first since Javier Vázquez in Sept. 2011...Led the Majors in innings pitched (43.2) and quality starts (six), while sitting second in the AL in ERA (1.44), 7th in WHIP (1.01), and 8th in OPP AVG (.204)...Pitched at least six innings in 12 consecutive home starts from Aug. 29, 2023-June 27, 2024, the longest by a Blue Jay since R.A. Dickey did so in 13 consecutive starts from June 27, 2014-May 21, 2015...Took a no-decision on July 7 at SEA, giving up four runs over 6.0+ frames with seven hits, a walk, and a season-high 10 strikeouts...Struck out Cal Raleigh in the 1st inning with a 98 MPH four-seamer, the fastest pitch of his career...Earned the victory on Aug. 9 vs. OAK after allowing a run over seven innings of work, scattering six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts...Struck out Brent Rooker swinging in the sixth inning, the 1,300th punchout of his career…Became the 3rd Puerto-Rican born player ever to reach the mark, joining Javier Vázquez (2,536) and Juan Pizarro (1,522)...Tossed 7.0 innings of one-run ball on Sept. 14 vs. STL on a pair of hits and a pair of walks with four strikeouts…Marked his 20th quality start of the season...Won seven consecutive starts from Aug. 9-Sept. 14, trailing only Roy Halladay (11 from May 1-June 22, 2003) and Roger Clemens (eight from April 30-June 6, 1997) for the most consecutive starts with a win in franchise history...On Sept. 20 at TB, took the hard-luck loss, tossing six innings of one-run ball on six hits and a walk with six strikeouts... Marked his eighth consecutive quality start, the most by a Blue Jays starter since Alek Manoah had eight straight quality starts from Aug. 21-Sept. 30, 2022...Also notched his 21st quality start of the season, tying his career-high set in 2019.
2023
Ranked ninth among AL pitchers in innings pitched (189.2), 10th in ERA (3.65), and 12th in strikeouts (184)...Has made exactly 32 starts in each of the last five full seasons...Won his first career Gold Glove Award...Recorded a career-high 26 assists while keeping a .953 fielding percentage...Worked 7.0 shutout frames on April 25 vs. CWS, scattering four singles and a walk to go with nine strikeouts...Completed 7.0 innings in consecutive starts for the 13th time in his career (last: 3G from June 4-15, 2022)...Pitched 5.2 frames of shutout ball on May 28 at MIN (4H, 5BB, 5K)...Became the winningest pitcher in Target Field history, earning his 33rd career victory to break a tie with Kyle Gibson, who later matched Berríos with his 33rd win on July 9...Improved to 7-4 on the year on June 14 at BAL, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning before allowing a leadoff single to Adley Rutschman...Marked the longest no-hit bid by a Blue Jay since Ross Stripling also tossed 6.0 hitless innings on Aug. 17,2022 vs. BAL...Finished the game with a season-high 7.2 innings of shutout ball (3H, BB, HBP, 5K)...Improved to a perfect10-0 lifetime against the O’s (13 starts), joining Jon Lester (14-0) and Red Faber (12-0) as the only pitchers in MLB history to win each of his first 10 career decisions against Orioles/Browns franchise...Took a no-decision on July 6 at CWS (1), throwing 7.0 scoreless innings with a hit, a walk, and six strikeouts...Gave up just one hit over 7.0 frames for the 2nd time in his career, also doing so exactly two years prior against the same team as a member of the Twins (July 6, 2021 vs. CWS)...Picked up his 10th win of the year on Sept. 10 vs. KC, throwing 7.0 innings of two-run ball (5H, 2BB, 7K)...Reached double digit wins for the sixth time in his career...Since 2017, has recorded double-digit wins in six seasons, one of only four pitchers to do so, along with Gerrit Cole, Kyle Gibson and Max Scherzer...The Bayamón, Puerto Rico, native pitched on Roberto Clemente Day for the 1st time in his career on Sept. 15 vs. BOS, tossing 7.0 shutout frames (5H, 0BB, 8K)...Was his sixth scoreless start of the year, and his fifth career start with 7.0+ IP, no runs, and no walks (last: July 31, 2019 at MIA)...Gave up four runs over 6.0 innings in his final start of the season, Sept. 27 vs. NYY...Struck out a season-high 10 batters, his first game with double-digit punchouts since July 12, 2022 vs. PHI (13K)...Made his third career postseason start (4th appearance) in Game 2 of the ALWC on Oct. 4 at MIN...Gave up one run over 3.0+ frames (3H, BB, 5K).
2022
Played his first full season as a Blue Jay...The team was 23-9 in his 32 starts....Made his third career Opening Day start April 8 vs. TEX...Lasted 0.1 innings while surrendering four runs on three hits with a pair of walks and a hit batter, marking the shortest outing of his career....Earned his first win and first quality start of the year on April 20 at BOS, tossing 6.0 innings of one-run ball....Picked up his second win of the year on April 30 vs. HOU...Tossed 5.2 innings of one-run ball, giving up seven hits and a pair of walks with five strikeouts...The Blue Jays had won each of his first five starts of the season....Landed his third win of the year on May 17 vs. SEA...Pitched into the eighth inning for the second time, finishing with 7.0+ scoreless frames (6H, 2BB, 4K)…Was his 1st scoreless outing of the season and his third quality start....Earned his fourth win on June 4 vs. MIN, tossing 7.0 innings of two-run ball with the only damage coming off a two-run homer from the thord batter of the game...Gave up just three hits on the day with a pair of walks and a career-high 13 strikeouts (12K, 2x)...The 13 punch-outs were the most by a Blue Jay hurler since Robbie Ray’s 13 K’s on Sept. 15, 2021 vs. TB....Improved to 5-2 on June 10 at DET, throwing a season-high 8.0 innings of one-run ball....Picked up his seventh win of the year July 12 vs. PHI...Surrendered three runs on six hits over 6.0 innings with no walks while tying a career high with 13 strikeouts, also doing so earlier in the season (June 4 vs. MIN)…Became the third pitcher in franchise history to strike out at least 13 batters without walking any, joining Roger Clemens (4x) and Robbie Ray (2x)…Induced a season-high 20 swing-and-misses, one off his career high set on June 17, 2019 vs. BOS....In six July starts, went 3-0 with a 3.00 ERA (12 ER/36.0 IP), seven walks and 42 strikeouts....The Blue Jays won each of his 13 home starts from Sept. 19, 2021-July 31, 2022, passing Roy Halladay (12G from May 31, 2007-April 6, 2008) for the longest streak in franchise history....Reached 1,000 career innings after striking out Taylor Walls to end the second inning on Sept. 12 vs. TB...Became the sixth pitcher born in Puerto Rico to reach the milestone before the age of 29....Took the loss on Sept. 27 vs. NYY but fanned Aaron Hicks in the fourth inning for his 1,000th career punch-out...Became the fifth Puerto Rican-born player to reach 1,000 strikeouts and the fastest to reach the milestone, doing so in 179 games (2nd: Javier Vázquez - 182 games)....Earned his 12th win Oct. 3 at BAL with 6.0 innings of one-run ball...Equaled his 2021 totals with 32 starts, 12 wins and 17 quality starts...Has made exactly 32 starts in each of the last four full seasons.
2021
His 3.52 ERA was fifth best in the AL while his 192.0 innings pitched ranked second...Set a career-high with 204 strikeouts, good for 5th in the AL...His overall opponents’ average of .223 ranked fourth in the AL...Kept right-handed hitters to .193 (71-for-368), ninth in the AL...His five defensive runs saved were tied for the third-most among all pitchers (Dallas Keuchel - 12, Max Fried - 6)...His three pickoffs were tied for tops in the AL and tied for eighth most in MLB...Went 5-4 with a 3.58 ERA in his 12 starts for the Blue Jays...Made his season debut and earned the win on April 3 at MIL with 6.0 hitless innings...Struck out 12 batters without issuing a walk...The 12 strikeouts matched Camilo Pascual (April 14, 1961) for most K’s by a Twins starting pitcher in his season debut...Fanned Seth Brown for his 700th career strikeout in the 5th inning May 15 vs. OAK...Became the 15th Twin to reach 700 strikeouts and the 28th Twin to reach 700.0 innings pitched...Picked up the win on June 12 vs. HOU with 7.0 innings and two runs allowed...Was his 32nd career victory at Target Field, tied with former Twin Kyle Gibson for most in the ballpark’s history...Took a no-decision on July 11 vs. DET, working 7.0 innings and allowing four runs on three hits (4BB, 8K) in a game the Twins ultimately won in extra innings, 12-9...Worked at least 7.0 innings in back-to-back starts for the first time since Sept. 10-16, 2019...Shouldered his fourth loss of the season July 19 at CWS in the second game of a doubleheader, despite recording his 4th career complete game in a 5-3 Twins loss...Tossed 6.0 innings, allowing five runs on four hits (3 HR) with a walk and eight strikeouts...Gave him three straight starts of at least eight punchouts in the same season for the 3rd time in his career (last: Sept. 14-28, 2018)...Made his last start for the Twins on July 24 vs. LAA, throwing 7.0 innings with two unearned runs on three hits with four strikeouts and no walks...Was his 2nd ER-free start of 2021 (April 3 at MIL)...Acquired by Toronto from Minnesota on July 30 in exchange for Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson...Won his Blue Jays debut Aug. 1 vs. KC, throwing 6.0 scoreless innings with five hits, a walk, three hit batters and seven strikeouts...Became the 13th player all-time to throw 6.0+ scoreless innings in his Blue Jays debut...Took a no-decision in Game 2 of a doubleheader Aug. 7 vs. BOS...Threw 6.0 innings of one-run ball with five hits, no walks and six strikeouts...Over his last three starts, held a 0.47 ERA (1 ER/19.0 IP) with 13H, 1BB, and 17K...Picked up his 2nd win as a Blue Jay on Aug. 29 at DET, giving up an unearned run and six hits over 7.0 frames with no walks and 11 strikeouts...Became the third player in franchise history to go 7.0+ IP with 0ER, 0BB, and 11+ K’s in a start, joining Rogers Clemens (2x) and Chris Carpenter...Took the loss Sept. 14 vs. TB, despite tossing 7.0 innings of one-run ball with four hits, no walks, and four strikeouts...Bested his former mates Sept. 19 in his first meeting with the Twins since being traded to the Blue Jays on July 30... Gave up three runs on four hits over 6.2 innings with a walk and six strikeouts...Named 2021 Pitcher of the Year for the Twins, going 7-5 in 20 starts with a 3.48 ERA...Accepted the award at a ceremony while in Minneapolis...Took the no-decision on Sept. 29 vs. NYY, giving up three runs on four hits over 6.0 innings with no walks and seven strikeouts...Marked his seventh straight quality start, and his 9th in 12 outings with Toronto.
2020
Was the Twins' Opening Day starter for second time in career, both consecutively...allowed five runs on seven hits on 4.0 innings pitched July 24 at Chicago-AL but did not factor into the decision in a Twins 10-5 victory...Earned first win of season in third start on August 4 vs. Pittsburgh, allowing one run on four hits in 6.0 innings pitched with three walks and six strikeouts...Went 1-3, 5.92 ERA (24.1 IP, 16 ER) with 13 walks, 24 strikeouts and a .284 opponent batting average in first five starts July 24-Aug. 15...in final seven starts, corrected course by going 4-1, 2.79 ERA (38.2 IP, 12 ER) with .207 opponents' batting average...had at least six strikeouts in eight of 12 starts...Set season-high with nine strikeouts Aug. 20 vs. Milwaukee (6.0 IP)…Made the start Sept. 20 at Chicago-NL, pitching 6.0 shutout innings and earning the win...faced his brother-in-law Javier Báez twice, getting him to pop out foul to first base and ground into a fielder's choice to third base...Ceded four runs in 5.0 innings on Sept. 25 vs. Cincinnati and charged loss in last regular-season start...Went 3-3, 3.38 ERA (32 IP, 12 ER) in six home starts, compared to 2-1, 4.56 ERA (31.0 IP, 16 ER) on the road. Was 4-1, 2.57 ERA (28.0 IP, 8 ER) in Interleague Play...four wins tied with four other pitchers for the most in the majors, the most by a Twin since Phil Hughes had four in 2014...Held right-handed hitters to .287 (37-for-129) at the plate, and left-handers to .180 (20-for-111)…among pitchers that faced at least 100 left-handed hitters, his .180 opponent batting average ranked third in the American League and seventh in baseball...Held opponents to a .174 (8-for-46) batting average with runners in scoring position...ranked third in the American League and tied fourth in the majors in that regard (min. 45 opponent AB with RISP)…Led club in games started (12), pickoffs (2), and finished second in innings pitched (63.0), quality starts (4) and pitching WAR (1.1)…also tied for the most home wins (3) on the team...Started Game 2 in AL Wild Card on Sept. 30 vs. Houston at Target Field, allowing one run on two hits in 5.0 innings pitched with two walks and four strikeouts as the Twins lost 3-1.
2019
Made Twins Opening Day roster for second time in career and was the Opening Day starter March 28 vs. Cleveland, pitching 7.2 scoreless innings with two hits allowed, one walk and 10 strikeouts...set a club record for strikeouts by an Opening Day starter, surpassing the previous high of eight done by Brad Radke (1996), Bert Blyleven (1975) and Dean Chance (1968); marked seventh time in his career with double-digit strikeout totals...teammate Jake Odorizzi struck out 11 the next game March 30 vs. Cleveland, becoming the second pair of pitchers in baseball history (since 1893 when the mound was placed at its current distance to home plate) to start a team's season with consecutive double-digit strikeout totals; the only others to do it were Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling for Arizona in 2001...Recorded double-digit strikeout totals three times: Aforementioned Opening Day, 10 on June 17 vs. Boston, and a season-high 11 July 31 at Miami...Won five straight starts April 14-May 7, setting a career-high for a win-streak...posted a 2.76 ERA (32.2 IP, 10 ER) in that stretch...Set a career-high with 12 hits allowed May 13 vs. Los Angeles-AL (5.2 IP); previous high was nine (5x)...Named to the American League All-Star team for the second straight season, taking the roster spot of teammate Jake Odorizzi (IL)...pitched a scoreless third inning, allowing one hit with two strikeouts...faced his brother-in-law Javy Báez for the second straight All-Star Game, inducing a fly out...Went 8-5, 3.00 ERA (117.0 IP, 39 ER) with 23 walks, 104 strikeouts, a .238 opponent batting average and 14 quality starts in 18 starts pre-All-Star break...tied for third in the AL in innings pitched, fourth in ERA, and tied for 11th in wins...Pitched a season-high 8.0 innings June 17 vs. Boston, throwing 109 pitches in a Twins 2-0 defeat...Recorded 500th career strikeout July 14 at Cleveland, fanning Jake Bauers...Went 1-2, 7.57 ERA (27.1 IP, 23 ER) in five August starts after beginning the season 10-5, 2.80 ERA (141.2 IP, 44 ER) in first four-plus months (22 starts)...Appeared in 100th career game September 4 at Boston...set club record for most strikeouts (559) through first 100 career games, surpassing Bert Blyleven, who struck out 553 though 100...Made 100th career start September 10 vs. Washington...Finished the season 3-0, 3.08 ERA (26.1 IP, 9 ER) in final four starts September 10-27...Held left-handed batters to a .247 average (96-for-388) and right-handers to a .254 average (98-for-386)...Had similar season splits at home and on the road -- at Target Field: 7-4, 3.51 ERA (97.1 IP, 38 ER) in 15 starts; on road: 7-4, 3.84 ERA (103.0 IP, 44 ER) in 17 starts...Led the team in innings pitched (200.1), strikeouts (195) and quality starts (21)...21 quality starts marked a career high, while 23 out of his 32 starts went at least 6.0 innings (including 10 7.0+ inning efforts)...the 21 quality starts ranked 10th in baseball, fourth in the AL...Ranked sixth in the majors with a 36.4% opponents' swing percentage on pitches outside of the strike zone, fourth in the AL in first-pitch strikes (65.2%), eighth in the AL with a 3.68 ERA and innings pitched (200.1)...Is one of 10 Twins to post multiple 30-start seasons before turning 26 years old...threw a career-high 200.1 innings pitched, becoming the 19th Twin younger than 26 to reach the 200.0 IP threshold, first since Johan Santana and Carlos Silva (both 25) in 2004...Made first career Postseason start (2nd appearance) in Game 1 of the ALDS at New York-AL on October 4, allowing three runs (1 earned) on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts in 4.0 innings (ND); Twins lost 10-4 and were eventually swept in three games...became eighth different pitcher (11th instance) in club history for a pitcher to strike out six-plus, first since Francisco Liriano (7 vs. NYY October 6, 2010).
2018
Made first career Opening Day roster and was club's number two starter...Made season debut April 1 at Baltimore, pitching his first career complete game shutout, allowing three hits with one walk and six strikeouts...Pitched second career complete game June 7 vs. Chicago-AL, allowing two runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts...Made the start in Game 2 of the Puerto Rico series on April 18 vs. Cleveland, pitching 7.0 scoreless innings with three hits allowed, no walks and five strikeouts...Twins won 2-1 in 16 innings...Went 9-7, 3.68 ERA (127.1 IP, 52 ER) in 20 starts Pre-All-Star Break and was selected to his first All-Star Game...entered the game in the fifth for the AL, pitching 1.0 scoreless inning with one walk...Recorded double-digit strikeouts four times on season: 11 on April 12 vs. Chicago-AL, 10 on May 15 vs. St. Louis, 10 on June 7 vs. Chicago-AL and career-high of 12 on June 24 vs. Texas...Reached 200 strikeouts for the season, 21st time in club history for a pitcher to do so, eighth different Twin, and the first Twin to reach 200 strikeouts since Francisco Liriano in 2010 (201)...first right-handed Twin to do so since Bert Blyleven in 1986 (215)...finished with 202 strikeouts, the most for a Twin since Johan Santana had 235 in 2007...Held left-handed hitters to a .213 average, compared to .231 vs. right-handed hitters. Went 9-4, 3.03 ERA (107.0 IP, 36 ER) in 17 home starts and 3-7, 4.85 ERA (85.1 IP, 46 ER) in 15 road starts...Went 8-4, 3.25 ERA (110.2 IP, 40 ER) in 18 night starts and 4-7, 4.63 ERA (81.2 IP, 42 ER) in 14 day starts...Finished with 32 starts; along with Kyle Gibson (32) and Jake Odorizzi (32), they became the first trio of Twins with 30-plus starts in the same season since 2007 (Johan Santana - 33, Carlos Silva - 33, and Boof Bonser - 30)...Led Twins in wins (12), complete games (2) and strikeouts (202), tied for first in starts (32) and second in innings pitched (192.1)...Finished tied for first in the AL in complete games, tied for sixth in starts, eighth in innings pitched, 11th in strikeouts, 13th in opponentbatting average (.222), and tied for 15th in wins...Given Joseph W. Haynes Award for Twins Pitcher of the Year, voted on by the Twin Cities Chapter of the BBWAA...also awarded with the Carl R. Pohlad Community Service Award.
2017
Pitched for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, going 1-0, 8.10 ERA (6.2 IP, 6 ER) with two walks and 10 strikeouts in two games (1 start)...Was in Twins spring training for third time in career; optioned to Triple-A Rochester March 25...Went 3-0, 1.13 ERA (39.2 IP, 5 ER) with eight walks and 39 strikeouts in six starts for the Red Wings and was recalled by Minnesota May 12...Pitched into the eighth inning in each of first two starts with the Twins, 7.2 innings May 13 at Cleveland and 7.2 innings May 18 vs. Colorado...according to Elias, became the third Twins pitcher in last 30 years to pitch into the eighth and win each of first two starts (Brad Radke in 2001 and Andrew Albers in 2013)... Set major league career high with 11 strikeouts May 18 vs. Colorado (Game 2), pitching 7.2 scoreless innings...tied with 11 strikeouts again August 30 vs. Chicago-AL (7.0 IP)...Pitched back-to-back 8.0-inning outings on June 15 vs. Seattle and June 21 vs. Chicago-AL...Won six of first seven decisions May 13-June 21; according to Elias, became the second Twins pitcher since 1980 to win at least six of his first seven appearances in one season (Brad Radke in 2001)...became the first pitcher in franchise history (1901-present) to win six games that early in the calendar year after not pitching in the majors in April...Held opponents to a .192 batting average with 37 strikeouts in six August starts, fourth-lowest BAA in the AL...Made first career relief appearance September 29 vs. Detroit, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings, in preparation for potential relief appearance in AL Wild card game...Went 9-1, 2.41 ERA (67.1 IP, 18 ER) in 11 home games (10 starts) and 5-7, 5.17 ERA (78.1 IP, 45 ER) in 15 road starts...Held right-handed hitters to a .222 batting average and left-handers to a .260 average... Ranked second on Twins staff in wins (14) and strikeouts (139), and third in starts (25) and innings pitched (145.2)...Pitched in relief in AL Wild Card game October 3 at New York-AL, allowing three runs on five hits in 3.0 innings pitched and was dealt the loss.
2016
Was Twins spring training invite for second time in career...reassigned to minor league camp March 18 and began season with Triple-A Rochester...Went 2-0, 1.06 ERA (17.0 IP, 2 ER) in three starts and had contract purchased by Minnesota April 26 after Kyle Gibson and Ervin Santana were both placed on 15-day disabled list...Made major league debut in a start April 27 vs. Cleveland, allowing five runs on six hits in 4.0 innings pitched and was dealt the loss...at 21 years, 336 days, he became the youngest Twins pitcher to debut as a starter since Pat Mahomes (21 years, 247 days) April 12, 1992 against Texas...Earned first major league win May 2 at Houston, allowing two runs on three hits in 5.1 innings pitched, with five walks and eight strikeouts...Optioned to Rochester May 17 after making four starts for the Twins, posting a 10.20 ERA...Set season-high at Rochester with 11 strikeouts June 6 vs. Buffalo (8.0 IP)...Named Twins minor league Player of the Week June 26, making one start at Columbus pitching 8.0 shutout innings with three hits allowed, two walks and nine strikeouts...Named Twins minor league Pitcher of the Month in June, going 4-1, 2.02 ERA (35.2 IP, 8 ER) with 10 walks and 38 strikeouts in five starts for Rochester...Pitched fourth career complete game while at Rochester, July 3 at Syracuse...named International League Pitcher of the Week...Named to International League All-Star team and pitched 1.0 scoreless inning with one hit and one strikeout July 13 in Charlotte...Recalled by Minnesota August 1 and made five starts before being optioned again August 25...Made one start for the Red Wings, coming August 31 vs. Syracuse, pitching 8.0 innings and setting a career-high with 14 strikeouts...Recalled for final time September 5...Combined to go 13-12, 4.40 ERA (169.2 IP, 83 ER) with 71 walks and 174 strikeouts in 31 starts between Rochester and Minnesota.
