Sources have told the Cuban Baseball Digest that the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB) and the Cuban government have been quietly considering lifting the sanction against Yariel Rodríguez, possibly opening the door for the right-hander to participate with Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
The hurler was banned from participating in international competitions with the island due to a longstanding federation rule that prohibits players that abandoned an international delegation from playing with Cuba or the FCB in any tournaments. He was eventually sued to no avail by the FCB for 10 million dollars for breach of contract.
Rodríguez defected from Cuba after the 2023 World Baseball Classic and tossed 7⅓ innings allowing two earned runs and striking out 10 batters. Although he did not factor in any decision he posted a 2.45 earned run average, but did walk an alarming six batters during his two starts in the WBC.
Yariel Rodríguez is dead set to represent the country once again in an international event and the pitcher had this to say to the Cuban Baseball Digest about possibly of playing for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, “No, I haven’t had any contact with the FCB, I just want to represent Cuba again in the event.”
In 2022 his last season in the Nippon League with the Chunichi Dragons Rodríguez worked in 56 games and in 54.2 innings of work where he only gave up seven earned runs over the course of the season. The righty had a 1.15 earned run average over the course of the campaign and fanned 60 while only walking 18. During the year he did not allow a long ball and was named the reliever of the year in the land of the rising sun.
The flamethrower also tallied 39 holds and notched six victories in 2022. The only reason Rodríguez was not the team’s closer was because Raidel Martínez his countrymen held that role and was arguably the best fireman in the NPB. In February 2024 the Cuban signed a 5-year, 32 million dollarr contract with the Toronto Bluejays.
Rodríguez, who wants to return to the role of starter would arguably be #2 in Cuba’s rotation for the upcoming tournament. In two major league seasons the native of Camagüey, Cuba primarily as a reliever has a 4-10 record, 3.83 earned run average and has struck out 151 in 159⅔ innings pitched.