Yariel Rodríguez is playing his second season in MLB in 2025 after leaving Cuba and abandoning an active contract with the Chunichi Dragons of the NPB to pursue every player’s dream of playing in the Major Leagues. In February 2024, after a year of inactivity he signed a contract with the Toronto Blue Jays for over $30 million to be a starting pitcher for the team.
He didn’t have a good rookie season last year. In 22 starts he posted a record of 1-8 with a 4.47 ERA and 85 strikeouts. For 2025, the Blue Jays’ management kept him as a starter in Spring Training, but just before the season began they decided that he would start out of the bullpen at least for the time being.
So far, he’s made eight appearances on the current season, all in relief. Overall, he has an earned run average of 4.82, but it’s worth noting that in his last six appearances he’s allowed two runs in 7.1 innings (2.45 ERA). Rodríguez also has two holds and opponents are hitting just .206 against him, and he’s struck out seven batters over that span.
This change in role has also brought with it an improvement in his fastball, which has improved by approximately 2 mph compared to last year. He’s also touched 98.0 mph three times, something that didn’t happen in 2024. The hurler spoke to Javier González of our sister page Pelota Cubana recently about his new role.
How was the process of returning to your old role?
Last year I was a starter here. I think that despite the adjustments I had to make in my MLB debut, despite the limitations I had from a year without pitching, going from relief to starting, I still think it was a pretty good year. Even though my record was under .500, I think it was a good year. So, this year, management made the decision to move me to relief. I didn’t have time to prepare in spring training as a reliever; I’ve always been a starter. I think at first it’s a little uncomfortable and a little difficult, that transition from starter to the bullpen. Because coming from the bullpen isn’t the same as coming from starting a baseball game. I think that little by little, your body and mind adapt to that position.
You’ve had the opportunity to pitch in the two strongest leagues in the world, Japan and the United States. If you could compare the similarities and differences between the two leagues.
Well, there are similarities, but there are also differences, because this is a baseball where, from the first to the ninth bat, anyone can hit a home run. I see it from a pitcher’s perspective. You can’t trust any hitter, because anyone can come and tie a game, anyone can come and hit a home run and go ahead. You can’t trust a lead when you’re winning by six runs, because here they’re no different. They come from anywhere, score two or three runs, five runs, really fast.
What do you think is the reason that Cuba isn’t producing much pitching talent for MLB?
Yes, I think, as you say, not many pitchers are coming from the island, more hitters are coming. I think it’s also because of the time of year when signings are made, which unfortunately can’t be signed from Cuba. In the Dominican Republic, I think they’re working harder with hitters. You know, in the Dominican Republic, many more hitters are coming up than pitchers. And I think maybe that’s why.
What goal do you have for this year?
Well, my goal for this year is, every time they put me to pitch, I want to put up a zero. If I come in when the team is winning, I try to maintain the lead and nothing else. I want to try to support the team in every way I can so we can qualify for the Playoffs.