"At several points over the off-season, it seemed Yariel Rodríguez's tenure with the Blue Jays might be over after the organization ultimately outrighted him off the 40-man roster following last season's disappointing second-half struggles. But now he's back and looking to find a home inside this bullpen again. The 29-year-old righty, who was passed over on waivers by all 29 other MLB clubs and is owed $17 million through 2028, began this season at Triple-A Buffalo and had been enjoying a strong start to his 2026 campaign, striking out close to 50 per cent of his batters faced while also pitching to a 2.63 ERA and 2.08 FIP across 11 games (one opener start)."
"Rodríguez's major-league return comes in place of Eric Lauer's departure, as the struggling southpaw was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays prior to Monday's 8-5 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. But they aren't bringing Rodríguez up to be a starter again. He's strictly a reliever now. When asked about the right-hander's role, manager John Schneider shared he anticipates using Rodríguez similarly to last season's one-to-two-inning usage. To start, he'll be thrown into low-leverage situations, which was the case in Monday's season debut with the club, receiving the ball in the top of the ninth inning as Toronto trailed by three runs."
"Despite issuing a four-pitch walk to begin his outing, it was pretty smooth sailing from there - especially after Brandon Valenzuela neutralized that leadoff walk with a caught stealing at second base - as Rodríguez punched out the next two batters to end the frame. Failing to minimize free passes, admittedly, is a big part of what has gotten Rodríguez in a "little bit of trouble in the pa"
Yariel Rodríguez rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays after being outrighted off the 40-man roster following last season’s second-half struggles. The 29-year-old right-hander, owed $17 million through 2028, began 2026 at Triple-A Buffalo and posted a strong run with a 2.63 ERA and 2.08 FIP across 11 games, striking out nearly half of batters faced. His return comes after Eric Lauer was designated for assignment. Rodríguez will not be used as a starter and is expected to pitch in a one-to-two-inning reliever role similar to last season. He entered Monday’s game in the ninth inning in a low-leverage situation, issued a leadoff walk, then recorded two strikeouts to end the frame.
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