FORT MYERS, FLA. – The change began last August, when Twins pitching coach Wes Johnson approached a struggling Jose Berrios about altering his workout plan. Berrios is a model of physical fitness but was starting develop a pattern of wearing down during the second half of the season.
Berrios immediately changed some of his routine between starts, had positive results and finished 14-8 with a 3.68 ERA. He threw 200⅓ innings, 15th most in baseball.
Then he altered his offseason workout program to incorporate more exercises that are designed to help build his stamina and allow him to be effective late in the season.
"We try to figure out what is best for me and what could help myself," Berrios said. "I don't want to go through that again. I want to start fresh and end fresh this year."
After posting an 8.07 ERA from the first week of August through the first week of September, Berrios had a 3.08 ERA the rest of the way. Johnson talked with Berrios in August after Berrios absorbed a few rough outings. Now he hopes his offseason program will lead to sustained success.
Berrios changed a few things outside of the gym as well. He began reading and spent more time with his family during the offseason.
"Now I'm trying to work my mind," he said.
His workouts and mound sessions used to be plastered on social media, but he did very little of that this past offseason.
