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Blue Jays make stunning move involving Yairel Rodriguez.
The Toronto Blue Jays have made a stunning move involving their pitching staff.
MLB insider Francys Romero reported on Saturday that the Blue Jays designated Yariel Rodriguez for assignment. The team confirmed the news, but he was placed on outright waivers and was not DFA him.
“The Blue Jays have designated right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez for assignment, per sources,” Romero wrote. “He posted 1.4 WAR out of the bullpen in 2025 with 73.0 innings, 66 strikeouts, and a 3.08 ERA.”
Blue Jays’ insiders Ben Nicholson-Smith and Shi Davidi of Sportsnet confirmed the news that Rodriguez was being outrighted off Toronto’s 40-man roster.
Toronto signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $32 million deal in 2024. He was expected to serve as a swingman type role, but down the stretch last season, he struggled.
Rodriguez was left off the Blue Jays’ World Series roster as he lost his role in high-leverage situations in the playoffs. In the postseason, Rodriguez had a 10.13 ERA in four playoff games over 2.2 innings, including allowing two home runs and four walks.
Rodriguez was 4-10 with a 3.83 ERA, including 22 starts over 159.2 innings in his career in Toronto. He was also two-of-three in save opportunities.
Rodriguez is owed $7 million in 2026, $8 million in 2027, and had a $6.3 million player option in 2028.
Next Steps for Rodriguez with Blue Jays
Although Toronto is outrighting Rodriguez off their 40-man roster, they aren’t ruling him out of being part of their roster in 2026.
Nicholson-Smith reported the move was strictly to get Rodriguez off the 40-man roster. The Blue Jays insider also reported that every team passed on claiming him.
“We can deduce a few things from the Yariel move: 1) 29 teams passed on claiming Rodriguez ($17M over next 3 years). 2) Blue Jays would have been OK to see him leave for no return. 3) Jays prefer to have Rodriguez off the 40-man, freeing up valuable space for someone else,” Nicholson-Smith reported.
As for the next steps, Rodriguez will be part of Toronto’s spring training with a chance at getting back on the 40-man roster.
“Next steps for Yariel Rodriguez. He remains in the Blue Jays’ organization as of now. Barring a change would arrive at spring training and attempt to earn a job like any non-roster player. If the Blue Jays want to, they can select his contract onto the 40-man again,” Nicholson-Smith added.
The move came as a surprise, but could be a prelude to the Blue Jays signing another reliever. Toronto has been focused on pitching this offseason, and adding a high-leverage reliever is key.
Toronto Looking to Add to Bullpen
The Blue Jays have been reportedly interested in some high-leverage relievers who have already signed.
Toronto has also expressed interest in Pete Fairbanks and has been linked to Edwin Diaz. Meanwhile, Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins confirmed after the year that the team could look at adding a new closer to replace Jeff Hoffman, who could be a set-up man.
“The great thing about Jeff is he’s not married to that,” Atkins said on Nov. 6. “Talking about the cohesion and team approach (of the Jays), he epitomizes that. I think he would be open to anything that makes us better.”
Hoffman went 9-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 71 games last season, including going 33-of-40 in save opportunities.
Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton
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