Spring training starts next week, but the harsh reality of how tough it is to keep a roster spot in a Major League Baseball organization can strike at any time.
The New York Mets, an organization with a lot of question marks at the major league level when it comes to pitching, still felt their farm system had one too many pitchers at the end of last week. As a result, they cut a 25-year-old farmhand loose after six-plus years in the organization.
According to the official transactions log, the Mets released right-hander Jorge Rodriguez on Friday. Rodriguez had finished the season with Low-A St. Lucie.
Rodriguez signed with the Mets in July 2019 as a 17-year-old out of the Dominican Republic. That turned out to be rough timing because of the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying his debut in a Mets uniform until 2021 in the Dominican Summer League.
In total, Rodriguez threw 69 2/3 innings in the organization, spanning rookie ball through Low-A. Injuries seemingly slowed his development, as he missed the entire 2024 season on the injured list and only pitched in five games in rookie ball this past season.
Rodriguez pitched to a 5.03 ERA in 28 minor-league games, 13 of which were starts. He struck out 76 batters, walked 33, and allowed 67 hits.
While getting cut just before spring training is far from ideal timing, Rodriguez will presumably look to catch on with another team, and perhaps he could even pitch in another country this year in an effort to earn his way back to affiliated ball.
More MLB: Yankees’ Most Overlooked Free Agent Reportedly Headed to Angels