Right-hander Yariel Rodríguez will be in hunt for a spot in the rotation again in Spring Training, according to the General Management of the Toronto Blue Jays. It will be an opportunity that the native Camagüey, Cuba cannot waste if he wants to justify the juicy contract by the Canadian squad last season “
Yariel will arrive as a starter at Spring Training to fight to be the fifth starter of the season. We will make the decision after the third week to try to arrange our pieces for the regular season and be able to improve the face of 2024,” said Ross Atkins, General Manager of the franchise to the local press.
The Blue Jays’ first four starters i 2025 will more than likely be veterans Max Scherzer, José Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassit. The only doubt for John Schneider, manager of Toronto, is who will occupy the fifth spot for the team, where Rodríguez and Bowden Francis will battle it out. The two hurlers will have the whole preseason to battle it out for the last starter spot, with the loser more than likely becoming a long reliever.
Rodríguez concluded his first season in MLB with a total of 21 starts, posting a 1-8 record and an ERA of 4.47 (86.2 IP; 43 ER). Opponents hit .229 against him, struck out 85 (8.83 K9) and walked 40 batters (4.15 BB9). For the next season the righty will have to work on mustering his command and control to have a better campaign.
The “Gallero de San Serapio” as he is known by the Cuban faithful had his best season as a professional as a reliever during his time with the Chunichi Dragons and perhaps if he is not a starter in 2025, the doors will open for him to a roll that he fits so comfortably once again. Rodríguez could easily be the franchise’s option to throw the seventh or eighth inning.
Spring Training will begin on February 20 but the Toronto Blue Jays’ first game will be on Saturday, February 22 when they face the New York Yankees. After an eventful offseason the Jays will begin a quest for a playoff spot, something they did not achieve in 2024.