Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: GM noncommittal on 2025 role
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Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Wednesday was noncommittal on Rodriguez's role for next season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
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.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Sent down to minors
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The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.
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.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Tosses 4.1 innings
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Rodriguez allowed a run on three hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over St. Louis.
Rodriguez worked through four shutout frames before the Cardinals tallied a run in the fifth inning. He's thrown fewer than six innings in 11 consecutive appearances, registering a 4.75 ERA while going 0-3 over 47.1 frames during that span. Rodriguez owns a 4.29 ERA with a 77:35 K:BB through 77.2 innings on the year. His next start is lined up to be in Tampa Bay.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Only lasts three innings
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Rodriguez took a no-decision Sunday against the Twins after he allowed three hits and two walks while striking out three over three scoreless innings.
Rodriguez had his shortest outing since he went just two-thirds of an inning July 29. The 27-year-old threw 57 pitches across three innings and only faced any real danger in the first inning when he had the bases loaded. Though it was an abbreviated start, it was the first time in four outings Rodriguez didn't surrender a home run, but he has issued at least one walk every time he's stepped on the mound. For the year, he owns a 4.61 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 69:33 K:BB in 68.1 innings. He lines up for a road matchup against Atlanta his next time out.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Hit hard in Fenway loss
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Rodriguez (1-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings as the Blue Jays were downed 6-3 by the Red Sox. He struck out three.
Half of the hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including a leadoff homer by Jarren Duran. Rodriguez had served up just one home run in his first 30 innings since coming off the IL in late June, but over his last four trips to the mound he's been taken deep six times, leading to a 7.20 ERA in 20 frames over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which currently lines up to come on the road this weekend in Minnesota.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Squanders early lead Wednesday
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Rodriguez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Reds, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.
The Blue Jays' offense handed Rodriguez a 6-0 lead through three innings, but the right-hander couldn't make it hold up. He got the hook after 87 pitches (51 strikes), and he's failed to complete five innings in three of his last five trips to the mound, stumbling to a 5.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings over that stretch. Toronto came into the season expecting to have to monitor Rodriguez's workload after he didn't pitch at all in 2023 and handled a relief role in Japan the three years prior, and while injuries have limited him to only 80 innings so far in 2024 between Triple-A Buffalo and the majors, he could be running out of gas.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Gives up three homers Friday
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Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday against the Cubs. He struck out five.
All four runs charged to Rodriguez came via the long ball. He allowed a two-run shot to Cody Bellinger in the opening inning before Pete Crow-Armstrong and Miguel Amaya added solo homers in the fifth. The Blue Jays would come back in the ninth to tie the game, sparing Rodriguez a loss, but he still hasn't recorded a win since July 6. However, the right-hander had been pitching well coming into Friday's outing, allowing just one run in his previous two starts (10.1 innings). Overall, Rodriguez is 1-5 on the year with a 3.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 55 innings. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Reds in his next start.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Getting start Sunday
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Rodriguez will start Sunday's road game against the Yankees, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.
After posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his first four starts of July, Rodriguez unraveled in his latest outing Monday. Taking the hill for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Orioles, Rodriguez failed to escape the first inning while exhibiting a complete loss of control. He spotted just 21 of his 43 pitches for strikes and recorded two outs while allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks and one hit. Toronto optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo following the outing, only to recall him Tuesday as a replacement for Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded to Houston. Despite the rough outing Monday, Rodriguez will stick in the rotation for another turn, though he might have a shorter leash. Bowden Francis started the second game of Monday's doubleheader and tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball, and while he's not in line to start this weekend against the Yankees, the Blue Jays could elect to have him piggyback with Rodriguez if the latter struggles to find the strike zone early on in Sunday's contest.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Sent down after rough start
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The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Rodriguez had seemingly earned some leash in the Blue Jays rotation with how well he had pitched lately, having come into Monday's start against the Orioles with a 2.01 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings in his first four starts this month. However, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against Baltimore, yielding four runs (three earned) on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. While that poor outing has cost Rodriguez his roster spot for now, he should be back with the big club in August.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Strikes out seven in no-decision
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Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over four innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.
Rodriguez failed to complete six innings for the first time in his three July starts. He was a bit inefficient, but the Blue Jays' offense was able to get him off the hook for the loss. Rodriguez has a 3.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB over 33.1 innings through his first eight big-league starts. That walk rate is likely to remain an issue, though there's obvious upside with his strikeouts, and he's only given up three home runs so far.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Notches first big-league victory
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Rodriguez (1-3) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed one run and two walks while striking out six batters.
Rodriguez finished without allowing a run for the first time through seven big-league starts and gathered his first win. He induced a modest eight swinging strikes but still managed a healthy six punchouts. This was the second straight quality start for the rookie right-hander, and he's allowed just one run over 12.2 frames while posting a 12:4 K:BB across the two-game stretch.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Earns first quality start in loss
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Rodriguez (0-3) took the loss Monday versus Houston, allowing one run on two hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.
The 27-year-old rookie pocketed his first career quality start in his longest outing of the season. Rodriguez generated 13 whiffs out of his 83 pitches to produce six punchouts. The Toronto right-hander's ERA now stands at 4.63 across 23.1 innings with 23:13 K:BB. With this performance, Rodriguez is likely to draw another start over Bowden Francis. He currently lines up to make his next appearance against Seattle on the road this weekend.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Could start Friday
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider confirmed that Rodriguez (back) has returned to Toronto and could be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Friday in Cleveland, Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic reports.
Rodriguez wrapped up his six-start rehab assignment at Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, when he struck out seven while allowing two runs on three hits and three walks over three innings. He tossed 79 pitches in the outing and should be built up enough to handle a traditional starter's workload, if the Blue Jays want to give it to him. Before Rodriguez landed on the IL on April 30 with thoracic spine inflammation, the Blue Jays had been managing his usage carefully, as he worked between three and four innings in each of his four starts. Should Toronto elect to manage Rodriguez's workload again if he starts Friday, he could be deployed as part of a tandem with Bowden Francis, who had most recently served as a bulk reliever when the No. 5 spot in the rotation came up.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Set to return from IL this week
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Rodriguez (back) rejoined the Blue Jays following his rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday and is expected to be reinstated from the 15-day injured list later this week, Francys Romero of BeisbolFR.com reports.
In his sixth and final rehab outing with Buffalo, Rodriguez tossed 79 pitches over three innings, striking out seven while giving up two earned runs on three hits and three walks. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca, Rodriguez's fastball averaged 93 miles per hour -- just one tick behind his season-long average over four starts with Toronto -- and topped out at 96. He'll likely step in as the Blue Jays' new No. 5 starter during this weekend's series in Cleveland, though manager John Schneider could choose to deploy Rodriguez as part of a tandem with Bowden Francis. In three of his previous four starts prior to landing on the IL on April 30 with thoracic spine inflammation, Rodriguez had been followed by Francis out of the bullpen and covered between three and four innings on each occasion.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: One more rehab start
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Rodriguez (back) will make one more rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
The Blue Jays were considering bringing Rodriguez back from the 15-day injured list to make a start this weekend against the Guardians after he struck out 10 over four shutout innings in his most recent rehab start Tuesday. However, the club has opted to get him stretched out a bit more before likely activating the right-hander next weekend. Rodriguez has been out since late April with thoracic spine inflammation.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Poised to return this weekend
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Blue Jays manager John Schneider said Wednesday that the club is considering activating Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list to start either Saturday versus the Guardians, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Rodriguez was terrific in his latest and likely final rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, striking out 10 over four shutout innings while scattering three hits and one walk. He would be starting on short rest if he's brought back Saturday, but the club is considering it because it prefers giving Jose Berrios an extra day of rest before his next outing, which would fall Sunday. If Rodriguez is in fact tabbed to fill the opening in the rotation Saturday, he could be deployed as part of a tandem with Bowden Francis, who had been occupying the No. 5 spot in the rotation following Alek Manoah's (elbow) move to the IL.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Next rehab start coming Tuesday
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Rodriguez (back) is scheduled to make another rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Buffalo, MLB.com reports.
Rodriguez is closing in on a return from the 15-day injured list after the Blue Jays deactivated him April 30 due to thoracic spine inflammation. The Blue Jays appear to be prepping for Rodriguez to take on a starting role upon his return from the IL -- or are at least keeping him available as a rotation option -- as MLB.com notes that the organization wants him to push his pitch count up to 75 before he's activated. In his most recent rehab start with Buffalo last Wednesday, Rodriguez tossed 43 pitches over three shutout innings, then tossed 15 more pitches in a bullpen session immediately upon leaving the game. If he's able to add around 15 more pitches to his workload Tuesday, Rodriguez could get the green light to rejoin the big club as soon as the upcoming weekend. Should the Blue Jays choose to include Rodriguez in their rotation, he would likely unseat Bowden Francis as the No. 5 starter, though even in that scenario, Toronto could deploy the two pitchers as a piggyback tandem like it did earlier in the season.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Next rehab outing coming Wednesday
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Rodriguez (back) is slated to make his next rehab appearance Wednesday for Triple-A Buffalo as a reliever, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Though Rodriguez has started in each of his last three rehab outings, the Blue Jays want to have the right-hander get comfortable with working out of the bullpen in case he ends up being deployed in that capacity upon returning from the 15-day injured list. Even while he's set to come on in relief Wednesday, Rodriguez is still expected to increase his workload, as he's being targeted for around 55 pitches. If all goes well Wednesday, Rodriguez could make his next appearance with the Blue Jays, potentially as a replacement in the rotation for the injured Alek Manoah (elbow). Bowden Francis (forearm) also appears on track to return from the IL in the near future, and he and Rodriguez could end up forming a tandem for the fifth spot in the rotation if the Blue Jays don't want to commit to either as a traditional starter.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Rehab assignment coming
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Rodriguez (back) is scheduled to make a rehab appearance at Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports.
After throwing off a mound earlier this week, Rodriguez is set to make his first rehab appearance Tuesday. He made four starts prior to his back flaring up, but with the Blue Jays having indicated they wanted to monitor his workload in 2024, he could shift to the bullpen once he returns.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Dealing with back soreness
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Rodriguez is experiencing back soreness after Monday's start against the Royals and is considered day-to-day, Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet.ca reports.
Rodriguez's back issues flared up again following Monday's 3.2-inning start, a resurgence of an injury that bothered him throughout spring training. With his next scheduled start coming Sunday at Washington, Rodriguez will have some time to heal up. However, with Alek Manoah (shoulder) nearing a return and making what's likely to be his last rehab start Tuesday, the Blue Jays could push Rodriguez back to the bullpen and give Manoah the ball Sunday.
