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Blue Jays cut $32 million pitcher after another bad outing
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- Blue Jays cut $32 million pitcher after another bad outing
Yariel Rodriguez was a valuable member of the Toronto Blue Jays ' bullpen in 2025, and helped them get past the New York Yankees in the 2025 American League Division Series.
But Rodriguez has struggled in 2026 — particularly against left-handed batters. His issues came back to bite him again against the Baltimore Orioles on June 5, when he allowed four runs (two earned) and recorded only two outs.
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Rodriguez, 29, now finds himself without a roster spot after he was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on June 8. Francys Romero was first to report the news.
In a corresponding roster move, pitcher Tommy Nance was reinstated from the injured list.
Rodriguez was 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in 10 appearances out of the Toronto bullpen this season. He limited right-handed hitters to a .222 batting average (four hits in 5.2 innings), but lefties were pulverizing him to the tune of a .421 batting average.
MORE: Former Blue Jays catcher announces retirement from baseball at 28
Pitching in the ninth inning against the Orioles three days ago in Toronto, Rodriguez allowed hits to the first three batters he faced, then walked Pete Alonso . He couldn't finish the inning in an eventual 13-3 loss.
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That was the last straw.
Despite his success last season, it was no surprise to see the Blue Jays with Rodriguez. The Cuban right-hander was carrying a 15.7 percent whiff rate, well below what is expected of a reliever in high-leverage situations.
Last season, when Rodriguez made 66 appearances and carried a 3.08 ERA, his whiff rate stood at 27.5 percent.
MORE: Blue Jays cut pitcher with 0.00 ERA in bullpen shakeup
The Blue Jays signed Rodriguez to a five-year, $32 million contract in 2024; he debuted two months later. He spent his rookie season in the rotation, making 21 starts and going 1-8 with a 4.47 ERA.
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After his success out of the bullpen in the 2025 regular season, Rodriguez did not allow a run pitching on back-to-back nights in New York in Games 3 and 4 of the AL Division Series.
However, the Seattle Mariners tagged Rodriguez for three runs, all earned, in Games 2 and 3 of the ALCS. He did not appear on the Blue Jays' roster for the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers .
Through 97 regular season appearances (22 starts), Rodriguez is 4-11 with a 4.05 ERA.
