Reports: Blue Jays reach 4-year deal with Cuban RHP Yariel Rodriguez

Field Level Media|published: Wed 17th January, 16:09 2024

Mar 18, 2022; Sarasota, Florida, USA; A detail view of a Toronto Blue Jays hat and glove in the dugout during spring training against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. credits: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays and Cuban free agent right-hander Yariel Rodriguez are in agreement on a four-year deal worth $32 million, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The deal is pending a physical and the resolution of immigration hurdles, per reports.

Rodriguez, 26, went 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA in 79 appearances (no starts) with Chunichi of the Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan from 2020-22. He last pitched for Cuba in the World Baseball Classic, electing not to return to Chunichi in 2023. The Dragons released him in November, making him a free agent.

Rodriguez made two starts in the WBC, finishing with a 2.45 ERA while striking out 10 in 7 1/3 innings.

Rodriguez sports a fastball that sits at 96 mph, per reports. The Blue Jays reportedly plan to turn him into a starter.

—Field Level Media