The Toronto Blue Jays have added to their Starting Rotation today by signing Yariel Rodriguez. Rodriguez joins a rotation that includes Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Yusei Kikuchi, and Alek Manoah. Rodriguez is typically a reliever but is looking to make a career in the MLB as a starter. Toronto offered him that he would be that for them, and if he has success, he could make this rotation much stronger.
Yariel Rodriguez By The Numbers
Rodriguez did not pitch in 2023 as he was looking for a Major League Contract, but in 2022, he pitched in the Japan Central League, making 56 appearances, going 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA, a 0.91 ERA, a 0.0 HR/9, a 3.0 BB/9, and a 9.9 K/9. He hasn’t made a start since 2022 when he was with the Cuban National League, and he also appeared in three total games, going 2-0 with a 1.84 ERA, a 1.15 WHIP, a 0.0 HR/9, a 3.7 BB/9, and a 10.4 K/9. Rodriguez pitched in the World Baseball Classic for Team Cuba, appearing in two games, both of which started going 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA, a 1.50 WHIP, a 0.0 HR/9, a 7.4 BB/9, and a 12.3 K/9 in 7.1 innings of work.
Bottom Line:
The Blue Jays are looking to return to the postseason and have success after being swept by the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card round. With the addition of Rodriguez, he will do just that for them if he finds success, even if it does not work out as a starter, and he can find success in the bullpen. The bats are there to compete in the American League East, but can the pitching do its job?
