FORT MYERS, Fla. — The last time he was there, José Berríos bounced off the playing surface at Target Field excited about the possibility of completing a remarkable turnaround.



Only two months removed from a stretch in which he couldn’t maintain his stuff and, being in peak physical condition, wasn’t certain why, Berríos couldn’t contain his joy after a throwing session resulted in renewed confidence. Throwing a flat-ground session for Wes Johnson during an Oct. 6 workout ahead Game 3 of the American League Division Series, Berríos had his pitching coach convinced the right-hander had more than enough in the tank to start on three days’ rest if the Twins could extend the series.



Four-and-a-half months later, Berríos is even more optimistic about the way he feels. The Twins pitcher applied the lessons he learned about recovery during one of the most trying stretches of his career to his offseason...