Yariel Rodríguez Fantasy Stats

In high-leverage relief spots this year, Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez has a .091 average against and a 33.3% strikeout rate. In low-leverage spots, Rodriguez has a .286 average against and a 20.5% strikeout rate. His soft-contact rate jumps 10.1% from low- to high-leverage spots, points out The Athletic's Mitch Bannon. The 28-year-old has averaged 96 mph with his fastball this year, but in the seventh and eighth innings in Thursday's win over the Los Angeles Angels, he touched 97.7 mph and showed more spin on all of his pitches. The Blue Jays could start leaning more on Rodriguez in late-inning, high-leverage situations, especially since they've been relying heavily on Jeff Hoffman, Yimi Garcia and Brendon Little. Rodriguez is currently sporting a 4.26 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 21 strikeouts and eight walks in 19 innings over 16 outings (one start) in his second big-league season.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will be stretched out for a starting role in spring training and will compete for the fifth spot in the Opening Day starting rotation. Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling says to expect Jake Bloss, Adam Macko, Eric Lauer and Adam Kloffenstein to provide the next layer of starting depth at Triple-A Buffalo. As things stand now with health aside this spring, Rodriguez should be the No. 6 starter behind Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. The 27-year-old Cuban hurler will most likely be in Toronto's rotation at some point in 2025, but expect him to open up the year in the bullpen, barring an injury this spring from any of the five names in front of him. In 21 starts as a rookie in 2024, Y-Rod went 1-8 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez could be bumped from the starting rotation in Toronto in 2025 to the bullpen after the team signed future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer on Thursday. However, even if Rodriguez opens the year as a reliever, there's a good bet he'll be starting games at some point with Scherzer over 40 and Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios all in their 30s. Toronto could also mix in Rodriguez as a starter in April, when the team has a stretch of 13 games in a row. Even if the Blue Jays employ a standard five-man rotation, Rodriguez will almost certainly be stretched out as a starter in spring training. The 27-year-old is reportedly open to a swing role after posting a 4.47 ERA with 85 K's and 40 walks in 86 2/3 innings over 21 starts a year ago. The Cuban hurler hasn't gone over 100 innings since 2018, so a swing role is probably ideal for both him and Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn't exactly to commit to a firm role for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez heading into the offseason. Atkins called Rodriguez a "solid option" for the Blue Jays in the starting rotation and is happy with where his workload is at as a starter. However, Atkins also said, "If we were to acquire one, I think he would be an exceptional reliever." It sounds as though the Blue Jays will continue to be flexible with the 27-year-old's role heading into next year. Toronto was careful with Rodriguez's workload in 2024 in his first year in the big leagues after not pitching in affiliated ball at all in 2023. All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances in his rookie year for the Blue Jays came in a starting role, and he finished with a 4.47 ERA (4.34 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and an 85:40 K:BB in 86 2/3 total innings. Rodriguez will be much more attractive in fantasy leagues in 2025 if he's starting again.

The Toronto Blue Jays optioned rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo after his rough start in Game 1 of a doubleheader on Monday against the division-rival Baltimore Orioles. In the 11-5 loss to their division rivals, Rodriguez only made it through two-thirds of the first inning, giving up four runs (three earned) on one hit while walking four and striking out one for his fourth loss of the season. The nightmarish outing brought the 27-year-old Cuban's season ERA to 4.31 on the year. Rodriguez's previous four starts for Toronto were solid, though, so it's a bit of a surprise to see him sent down. However, it will also give the team an opportunity to limit his workload after not pitching much the past few years. Rodriguez has thrown 39 2/3 innings over his 10 starts in his first year in the big leagues and should be back with the Jays before the end of the season.

Toronto Blue Jays rookie righthander Yariel Rodriguez earned his first career victory on Saturday afternoon in a 5-4 win over the Seattle Mariners. Rodriguez spun six innings, striking out six batters and surrendering no runs on one hit and two walks. The 27-year-old has two consecutive quality starts in July, going more than six innings in both games and giving up only one total run. On the season, he is 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA, a 1.33 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts in 29 innings. He should continue to hold a spot in the Toronto rotation for the foreseeable future.

The Toronto Blue Jays will start rookie pitcher Yariel Rodriguez against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. Rodriguez has made five starts and is (0-2) with a 5.94 ERA and a staggering 1.92 WHIP over 16 2/3 innings, striking out 17 and walking 11. He lasted only 1 1/3 innings against the Guardians on June 21, allowing five runs (four earned) on two hits. Rodriguez has yet to go beyond four innings in any of his starts, so fantasy managers with Red Sox on their rosters should find a place for them and let them feast on the struggling hurler. Rodriquez has shown flashes of potential, but not enough for fantasy managers to keep him on their roster outside deep-league formats.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez struggled in his start in a 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Rodriguez allowed five runs (four earned) on two hits and three walks in just 1 1/3 innings of work in the loss. In what has been an ongoing issue this season, Rodriguez struggled with his control, throwing just 32 of 52 pitches for strikes before departing early. Rodriguez now has a 0-2 record, 5.94 ERA, 1.92 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts across five starts for Toronto this season. Rodriguez has some strikeout upside in his arm but he will have to cut down on the walks (11 over 16 2/3 innings of work) to be trustworthy in fantasy.

The Toronto Blue Jays reinstated rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list on Friday and optioned right-hander Ryan Burr to Triple-A Buffalo in a corresponding move. Rodriguez will jump right into Toronto's rotation and make the start on Friday versus the Guardians in Cleveland. The 27-year-old will be a pretty risky fantasy streamer in his first game since going on the injured list in late April with thoracic spine inflammation. Rodriguez threw 79 pitches in his final minor-league rehab appearance, but the Blue Jays will most likely continue to be careful with his workload in his first major-league season. It wouldn't be a surprise to see him go only several innings before Bowden Francis comes in as the bulk reliever. The Guardians rank 11th in baseball in team OPS at .724.

Toronto Blue Jays rookie right-hander Yariel Rodriguez (back) is scheduled to make his next minor-league rehab appearance for Triple-A Buffalo out of the bullpen as a reliever on Wednesday. The Blue Jays want to keep Rodriguez stretched out and wanted him to come out of the bullpen at least once on his rehab assignment. During his outing on Wednesday, he's slated for around 55 pitches or three to four up-and-downs. The 27-year-old Cuban hurler has already made three rehab starts, so if all goes well on Wednesday, he could come off the 15-day injured list and return to the major-league roster soon. With Alek Manoah (elbow) out for the foreseeable future, Rodriguez and Bowden Francis (forearm) are Toronto's best options to fill the vacant rotation spot. Given Rodriguez's limited workload over recent seasons, Toronto will continue to limit his innings the rest of the way.