Atkins calls Schneider’s decision to pull Berrios ‘courageous’, says manager will be back in 2024

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins says manager John Schneider made the decision to pull starting pitcher Jose Berrios in Toronto’s playoff-ending loss to the Minnesota Twins.

Berrios was taken out of the scoreless game after a leadoff walk in the fourth inning. The right-hander had thrown only 47 pitches and had struck out five batters before being replaced by lefty Yusei Kikuchi.

The Twins went on to win the game 2-0, eliminating the Jays from the American League wild-card series in two straight games.

During a season-ending address at Rogers Centre on Saturday, Atkins admitted that he was surprised by the move and threw cold water on a theory that the decision was influenced by the Jays’ front office.

“Schneider has a group of individuals that he prepares with every day. His process, routine, his preparation was no different that day,” Atkins said. “The group is the staff that’s on the field. It’s not the front office. I do not attend these meetings and do not make those decisions.”

The Blue Jays’ general manager praised Schneider’s decision to pull Berrios as “courageous” and stated that it was not the reason Toronto lost the game.

Atkins also confirmed that Schneider will return to manage the team in 2024 but that changes were possible with the rest of the coaching staff.

"We had high expectations last year, I think it's the repeat of them."

Ross Atkins details the frustration from the Blue Jays postseason and confirms John Schneider will be back on staff. pic.twitter.com/D5y1DTRHBj

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) October 7, 2023

Atkins said that he and Schneider “had spent some time talking” about whether there will be any changes to the rest of the coaching staff, saying that they will have an update in the near future.

After replacing Charlie Montoyo 88 games into the 2022 season, Schneider has led Toronto to a 135-101 record. After carrying the interim tag through the 2022 campaign, the 43-year-old skipper was given the full-time job with a three-year contract with a team option for 2026.