Two of Puerto Rico’s biggest Major League stars—Jose Berrios and Francisco Lindor—reached major career milestones on Monday night, highlighting the global impact of international talent in MLB during the second full week of the 2025 season.
Berrios Earns 100th Win for Blue Jays at Fenway
Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios became the 15th active pitcher in Major League Baseball to earn 100 career victories. He led the Blue Jays to a 6-2 win over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, helping Toronto improve to 6-5 in the American League East.
Berrios, from Bayamón, Puerto Rico, threw seven strong innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, and three walks while striking out two. He needed just 88 pitches—55 for strikes—in front of a crowd of 25,788 in Boston.
La Makina 🦾
Century Club 💯 #lightsupletsgo pic.twitter.com/O73pgsPy2z
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 8, 2025
Relievers Yimi García and Jeff Hoffman combined for two scoreless innings to secure the win.
Through three starts this season, Berrios is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA. He has thrown 17.2 innings, allowing 17 hits, nine earned runs, three home runs, eight walks, and 15 strikeouts with a 1.415 WHIP.
The 15th active pitcher to reach 💯 wins!
Congratulations, La Makina 🦾 pic.twitter.com/eQLDXhh4qQ
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 8, 2025
Berrios, now in his 10th big league season, debuted with the Minnesota Twins in 2016 before being traded to Toronto on July 30, 2021. The Twins acquired shortstop Austin Martin and right-hander Simeon Woods Richardson in return. Over 247 career appearances (246 starts), Berrios has posted a 100-78 record, 4.08 ERA, and 15.7 WAR while throwing 1,423.1 innings with 1,358 strikeouts.
Lindor Joins 1,500-Hit Club at Citi Field
On the same night, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor also made Puerto Rico proud, recording his 1,500th career hit during a 2-0 victory over the Miami Marlins at Citi Field.
Congrats to @Lindor12BC for recording his 1,500 career hit!@HauglandGroup | #LGM pic.twitter.com/hmH6pLCO3U
— New York Mets (@Mets) April 8, 2025
Lindor’s milestone hit came in the fifth inning off Marlins reliever Tyler Phillips. The single to left field was one of three hits on the night for the Caguas-born star, who also singled in the first and beat out a bunt for a base hit in the third. The Mets improved to 7-3 in the National League East.
Through nine games this season, Lindor is slashing .242/.308/.303 with eight hits, two doubles, three RBI, two stolen bases, three walks, and seven strikeouts across 39 plate appearances.
Now in his 11th season, Lindor has appeared in 1,384 games for Cleveland (2015–20) and the Mets (2021–present). He owns a career 50.1 WAR, with 1,500 hits, 306 doubles, 26 triples, 248 home runs, 773 RBI, and 187 stolen bases. He has a lifetime .817 OPS over 6,155 plate appearances.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 WBC
Lindor and Berrios have both represented Puerto Rico multiple times in the World Baseball Classic and have spoken highly of the experience. Lindor has been especially vocal about the pride he takes in wearing his country’s uniform, calling it “a blessing and an honor and a privilege” after the 2023 tournament. Despite teammate Edwin Díaz suffering a season-ending injury during a postgame celebration, Lindor told reporters he “100 percent” supports continued MLB participation in the event.
Berrios pitched for Puerto Rico in the 2013, 2017, and 2023 WBC tournaments, contributing to silver-medal finishes in his first two appearances. In 2017, he struck out five and helped lead Puerto Rico past Italy to clinch a spot in the second round. Though he struggled in a 2023 start against Venezuela, Berrios remains one of the most seasoned pitchers to have taken the mound for Puerto Rico in international play.
2026 World Baseball Classic Overview
The 2026 WBC will begin with pool play across four locations. Colombia, Chinese Taipei, Brazil, and Nicaragua have already qualified but have not yet been assigned to a pool.
Pool Assignments
• Pool A (San Juan, Puerto Rico – Hiram Bithorn Stadium): Puerto Rico, Cuba, Canada, Panama, and a qualifier nation
• Pool B (Houston, Texas – Daikin Park): United States, Italy, Mexico, Great Britain, and a qualifier nation
• Pool C (Tokyo, Japan – Tokyo Dome): Japan, Australia, South Korea, Czech Republic, and a qualifier nation
• Pool D (Miami, Florida – loanDepot Park): Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Israel, and a qualifier nation
Quarterfinals
At Daikin Park:
• March 13 – Pool A runner-up vs. Pool B winner
• March 14 – Pool B runner-up vs. Pool A winner
At loanDepot Park:
• March 13 – Pool C runner-up vs. Pool D winner
• March 14 – Pool D runner-up vs. Pool C winner
Semifinals and Final
• Semifinals: March 15 and 16 at loanDepot Park
• Championship: March 17 at loanDepot Park
(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
