Yariel Rodriguez - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Notches first save Rodriguez earned the save in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning.

Impact With Jeff Hoffman unavailable after pitching on back-to-back days, Rodriguez was called upon for the save in the ninth and needed just 10 pitches to close out the win. The 28-year-old has been a steady presence in the Blue Jays' bullpen this season, posting a 2.97 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 32:11 K:BB across 33.1 innings.

JUNE 11 • ROTOWIRE

Ernie Clement homers and Blue Jays beat Cardinals 5-2 for 3-game sweep

Ernie Clement homered and Spencer Turnbull worked two scoreless innings to win his Toronto debut as the Blue Jays beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-2 for a three-game sweep

JUNE 11 • Associated Press

Collects first win Rodriguez (1-0) was charged with his first blown save of the season but recorded the win in Monday's extra-inning victory against the Cardinals, giving up two runs on two hits in 1...

Impact He entered the game in the eighth inning with the bases loaded to protect a 3-0 lead, but Rodriguez promptly gave up an RBI single to Willson Contreras before serving up a three-run blast to Ivan Herrera. The right-hander stuck around to work a scoreless inning after the Jays tied it in the ninth, and was the pitcher to record when they pushed across the winning run in the 10th. It's the first time Rodriguez has been tagged with an earned run since May 4, and the first time he's been taken deep since April 30, a stingy stretch that has him sporting a 3.06 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 31:11 K:BB through 32.1 innings on the season with eight holds.

JUNE 10 • ROTOWIRE

Kirk and Clase lead Blue Jays past Cardinals 5-4 in 10 innings

Alejandro Kirk homered and had four hits, including a go-ahead double in the 10th inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied last in a 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals

JUNE 10 • Associated Press

Barger hits 2-run HR, Bichette has go-ahead 2-run single as Blue Jays beat Twins 6-4

Addison Barger hit a two-run home run, Bo Bichette had a go-ahead two-run single in the fifth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Minnesota Twins 6-4 for their fifth straight...

JUNE 7 • Associated Press

Santander and Guerrero Jr. homer as Blue Jays deal Padres 4th straight loss 3-0

Anthony Santander and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered, Chris Bassitt and three relievers combined on a five-hitter and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Diego Padres 3-0

MAY 21 • Associated Press

Alejandro Kirk hits 3-run homer as Blue Jays beat Rays 3-1 for 5th win in 6 games

Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1

MAY 15 • Associated Press

Dazzles in relief Thursday Rodriguez picked up his fourth hold of the season in Thursday's win over the Angels, allowing one hit and striking out five over two scoreless innings.

Impact The 28-year-old right-hander needed only 29 pitches (20 strikes) to record his six outs, as Rodriguez helped give the Blue Jays' usual high-leverage options a breather by working the seventh and eighth innings. He may be joining that group himself -- Rodriguez has recorded a hold in back-to-back appearances, and over his last nine outings and 12.1 innings he's posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 15:5 K:BB.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up third hold Rodriguez gave up a hit and struck out two in 1.1 scoreless innings Wednesday to record his third hold of the season in a loss to the Angels.

Impact Jeff Hoffman wound up blowing the save in the ninth, but not before Rodriguez breezed through the top of the Halos' order in the seventh and eighth innings to pick up his first hold since April 1. Both Hoffman (six runs allowed in his last two appearances) and Yimi Garcia (seven runs in his last two) have begun to crack under heavy early-season workloads, and while Rodriguez hasn't been particularly consistent himself, he has been pitched better over the last few weeks, posting a 3.48 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over his last 10.1 innings. The 28-year-old righty could be in line to become a regular part of Toronto's high-leverage crew.

MAY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Kirk hits winning single in 10th, Blue Jays rally past Red Sox 7-6 in Giolito's return

Alejandro Kirk hit a game-ending, bases-loaded single in the 10th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays overcame a six-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-6 in Lucas Giolito’s retu...

MAY 1 • Associated Press

Yariel Rodriguez to serve as Blue Jays' opener vs. Red Sox in bullpen day for Toronto TORONTO - Right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez will serve as the Toronto Blue Jays' so-called opener tonight against the Boston Red Sox.

APRIL 30 • THESTAR.COM

Drawing opener assignment Rodriguez will serve as the Blue Jays' opening pitcher in Wednesday's game against the Red Sox, Mitch Bannon of The Athletic reports.

Impact Rodriguez was used as a starting pitcher by Toronto last season, but he's worked exclusively in relief in 2025. He hasn't thrown more than two innings in any appearance and will be pitching on two days' rest, so it should be a fairly traditional opener assignment. Eric Lauer is likely to follow in bulk relief.

APRIL 30 • ROTOWIRE

Collects hold Sunday Rodriguez picked up his first hold of the season in Sunday's win over the Orioles, giving up one hit and striking out two in a scoreless eighth inning.

Impact The right-hander is considered the favorite to step into the rotation for Max Scherzer (thumb) on Friday, and the 16 pitches (10 strikes) Rodriguez threw Sunday shouldn't impact his availability. His high-leverage usage was unexpected, but it came after Yimi Garcia and Nick Sandlin had worked Thursday and Friday, while Chad Green was on the bump Thursday and Saturday. If the Jays continue to lean heavily on their late-inning relief arms during the week and decide to keep Rodriguez in that role, Jake Bloss -- who is currently scheduled to pitch Tuesday for Triple-A Buffalo -- might be reserved for Friday's start instead.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Jays' Bassitt pitches 6 innings for first win, Sugano leaves O's debut with cramp, Toronto wins 3-1

Chris Bassitt pitched six innings to win his first start of the season, George Springer hit a two-run single and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1

MARCH 30 • Associated Press

Slated to start Friday Rodriguez is in line to start Friday's game against the Mets at Citi Field, Hazel Mae of Sportsnet reports.

Impact With Toronto's ideal five-man rotation at full health heading into Opening Day, Rodriguez missed out on a starting spot and made his season debut out of the bullpen in Thursday's 12-2 loss to the Orioles and gave up three earned runs on three hits and one walk over one inning. Despite the poor showing, Rodriguez will end up moving into the rotation next weekend after Max Scherzer aggravated a thumb injury in Saturday's 9-5 loss to Baltimore and was then placed on the injured list Sunday. Per Keegan Matheson of MLB.com, Blue Jays manager John Schneider said that Scherzer is scheduled to visit a hand specialist Monday, when a timeline for the right-hander's return should come into focus. Rodriguez should at least be in line for two turns though the rotation while Scherzer is on the shelf.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Could be needed in rotation Rodriguez could begin the season in the rotation if Max Scherzer (thumb) isn't ready to make his first start, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Blue Jays will need a fifth starter March 31, giving Scherzer little time to recover and get fully stretched out. Rodriguez has worked 9.2 innings in Grapefruit League action this spring, striking out 11 batters but also walking seven and serving up four homers. If Toronto decides he's better suited for a long relief role, or Scherzer's thumb issue is deemed to be minor and he's only expected to miss one or two turns through the rotation, Jake Bloss or Eric Lauer might be called upon instead.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Fans four in Friday's outing Rodriguez gave up two runs on five hits over three innings in Friday's Grapefruit League start against the Yankees. He struck out four without walking a batter.

Impact The right-hander served up solo shots to Austin Wells and Cody Bellinger in the first inning, but Rodriguez settled down after that and counted Paul Goldschmidt and Aaron Judge among his strikeout victims before hitting the showers. Rodriguez got squeezed out of the Blue Jays' Opening Day rotation by the Max Scherzer signing, and it's not clear yet whether the team will keep him as a long man in the big-league bullpen to begin the season, or stash him at Triple-A Buffalo to stay stretched out in case an injury opens up a spot.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

Yariel Rodríguez strikes out four over three innings | 03/07/2025 Yariel Rodríguez allows two runs and strikes out four batters over three innings in his Spring Training start against the Yankees

MARCH 8 • MLB.COM

Will compete for rotation spot Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said Friday that Rodriguez will compete for the fifth spot in the rotation during spring training, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact It makes sense for the club to keep Rodriguez stretched out in case someone else gets hurt, but the right-hander is pretty clearly sixth in the rotation pecking order heading into spring training. He still figures to be needed to start some games at some point, but Rodriguez is likely to begin the season in the bullpen if the Blue Jays' top five starters are healthy.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Could be slated for bullpen Rodriguez might open the season in the Blue Jays' bullpen following the addition of Max Scherzer, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports.

Impact Rodriguez will likely stay stretched out during spring training, but he looks to be sixth on the rotation depth chart for Toronto right now. The Blue Jays do have a stretch in April with 13 games without an day off, presenting an opportunity for Rodriguez to get a spot start if the club wants to use him in a swingman role. Rodriguez made 21 starts for Toronto in 2024, posting a 4.47 ERA and 85:40 K:BB over 86.2 innings.

JANUARY 31 • ROTOWIRE

GM noncommittal on 2025 role Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Wednesday was noncommittal on Rodriguez's role for next season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Impact Atkins referred to Rodriguez as a "solid option" for the 2025 rotation and said he's happy with where the pitcher's workload is at as a starter after he threw 107 innings in 2024. However, the GM also noted that, if the club acquires outside help for its rotation, Rodriguez "would be an exceptional reliever." All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances for the Blue Jays this season were as a starter and he should be penciled into next year's rotation, but it doesn't seem to be set in stone.

OCTOBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Impact Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in loss Rodriguez (1-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Impact Rodriguez allowed two runs in the first inning and was charged with another after departing with no outs in the sixth. The 27-year-old rookie yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his five September outings but also failed to complete more than five frames in any of them. He'll finish the year with a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in loss Rodriguez (1-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Allows three runs in loss Rodriguez (1-7) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Impact Rodriguez generated an impressive 12 swinging strikes on 81 pitches but was mostly burned by a two-run homer in the third inning. He has yielded only five earned runs through four September outings but has also completed five frames just once in that span. The 27-year-old will carry a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 80:38 K:BB across 81.2 innings into his final matchup of the season against the Marlins next week.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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