The Toronto Blue Jays have chosen to assign right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo at the beginning of the season, according to Francys Romero’s report. Rodriguez is slated to start two or three games at this level to further build up his form before the team considers promoting him to the major league roster.
At 27 years old, Rodriguez signed a five-year contract with Toronto in February after initial negotiations the previous month. His journey to the majors has been unconventional, starting as a starting pitcher in Cuba before transitioning to relief pitching in Japan, where he excelled with a remarkable 1.15 ERA and a 27.5 percent strikeout rate in 56 appearances during the breakout 2022 season with the Chunichi Dragons. Ahead of the 2023 season, Rodriguez represented Cuba in the World Baseball Classic and returned to starting pitching, showing promising performance during the tournament. However, instead of returning to Japan, he pursued a career in MLB, eventually being granted release by the Dragons last fall and becoming a free agent.
Rodriguez’s path to the big leagues has drawn varied evaluations, given its unusual nature for an international free agent seeking his first contract in the United States. The Blue Jays took a chance on him, likely attracted by his youth and outstanding 2022 season. Initially expected to compete for the fifth spot in the starting rotation during spring training, Rodriguez faced setbacks due to back spasms, delaying his start. Consequently, the fifth rotation spot went to Bowden Francis, with Rodriguez and another prospect, Rickey Tiedemann, starting the season in Triple-A to prepare for the upcoming games.
During spring training, Rodriguez made only two appearances with the Jays, registering three strikeouts but also conceding two hits, including a home run, and three walks across five innings. Once Rodriguez has fully recovered from the rust accumulated during his extended absence last year, the Blue Jays will decide whether to debut him in the starting rotation or as part of the bullpen.