Blue Jays outright Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez to minors

Breadcrumb Trail Links

SportsBaseballMLBToronto Blue Jays

Reliever had a 3.08 ERA in 73 innings of work spread out over 66 appearances in 2025.

Get the latest from Rob Longley straight to your inbox Sign Up

Published Dec 06, 2025  •  2 minute read

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

The Blue Jays demoted relief pitcher Yariel Rodríguez to the minors after he went unclaimed. Photo by Mark Taylor / Files /Getty ImagesArticle content

From a $32 million US gamble prior to his North American debut to a non roster player in two years, the shine has dimmed from Blue Jays reliever Yariel Rodriguez.

Advertisement 2

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.

THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors

Article content

The 28-year-old Cuban may not be done with the Jays, but he’ll have to work his way back onto the roster after the team outright him from the 40-man roster on Saturday.

Article content

Article content

The move could be linked to a future roster move, given that the three-year-contract the Jays agreed to with starter Cody Ponce has yet to be announced officially by the team.

By being removed from the 40-man roster, which the Jays announced Saturday, Rodriguez had been designated for assignment by the team but then cleared waivers. The fact that he went unclaimed — and with a bulky contract of more than $20 million owing that was no surprise — means the Jays can keep Rodriguez, though they were willing to release him for nothing.

With the off-season moves potentially heating up, the Jays are certainly looking to upgrade their bullpen, a place where Rodriguez had shone for much of the 2025 season. The right-hander was particularly effective in May and June when he was one of the top late-inning options for Jays manager John Schneider and pitching coach Pete Walker.

Advertisement 3

This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.

Article content

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

Play Video

That form waned later in the season as the velocity of his pitches dropped to the point where Rodriguez was so ineffective that he was left off the team’s World Series roster.

The Jays signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $32-million US deal prior to the 2024 season with initial hopes that he would have the potential to be a starter for the team. He had 22 appearances in that role but never showed the consistency to be a regular arm in the rotation, prompting the Jays to transition Rodriguez to more of a swing role.

In the present, outrighting Rodriguez opens up a potentially valuable spot on the 40-man roster as the offseason figures to heat up considerably with the start of the winter meetings on Monday in Orlando, Fla.  Rodriguez is owed $5 million next season and $6 million in 2027, which helps explain why none of the other 29 teams claimed him.

With the open roster spot, general manager Ross Atkins can continue forging ahead on his offseason priorities which now appear focused on adding a high-leverage reliever and an impact bat.

The 2025 season had its moments for Rodriguez, who had a 3.08 ERA in 73 innings of work spread out over 66 appearances.

Read More

Article content

Share this article in your social network