According to Sportsnet writer Arden Zwelling, general manager Ross Atkins has discussed Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodríguez’s role. Atkins talked about how Rodriguez will take on a heavier workload in spring training and fight for a chance at the fifth rotation spot. Back in October of 2024, the idea of placing Rodríguez in the bullpen was a plan set in place for 2025. But now he will get an opportunity to earn a starting spot. Having him open in the bullpen but even having him as a sixth starter in case of injury is also an option. But whether the Blue Jays will go with a five or six-man rotation is yet to be seen. However, according to Atkins, it appears that there will be a five-man rotation. But when injuries inevitably come into play, everything is subject to change. As the 2025 season gets under way, Rodríguez’s role with the Blue Jays will become clearer.
Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins says Yariel Rodriguez will be stretched out in spring training and compete for fifth spot in club’s rotation
Expect Jake Bloss, Adam Macko, Eric Lauer, and Adam Kloffenstein to form next layer of starting depth in triple-A rotation
— Arden Zwelling (@ArdenZwelling) February 7, 2025
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Ross Atkins Shakes Up Yariel Rodríguez’s Role
Rodríguez’s Future With the Blue Jays
Adjusting Rodríguez’s pitch workload before the season starts is a good mechanism to help him develop with the Blue Jays. Last season, he was operating on a pitch limit, as he hadn’t pitched competitively since 2023 in the World Baseball Classic representing Cuba. In 2024, Rodríguez dealt with thoracic spine inflammation which impacted his season. But overall, he pitched well in his first season in MLB. He had many decent outings, but since he usually pitched less than five innings he wasn’t eligible to qualify for a win. He finished 2024 with a 4.47 ERA across 86 2/3 innings of work along with 85 strikeouts. If Rodríguez can remain healthy and successfully take on a heavier workload, he could find himself within the starting rotation. But at the same time, having him enter in relief and be able to eat up more innings would help out the Blue Jays bullpen situation.
Blue Jays Offseason Plans and Possibilities
While Toronto recently added a solid addition to its bullpen by signing free-agent reliever Jeff Hoffman, having extra arms in the pen always helps. The flexibility of Rodríguez’s role, as well as the addition of Max Scherzer in the rotation, could make things interesting in the AL East. The Blue Jays have solid starters with José Berríos, Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman, and Bowden Francis. But a heavy workload for Scherzer with his age and injury history isn’t likely. It’s possible that time could be split between Scherzer and Rodríguez in the rotation. Francis and Rodríguez will likely fight for the last spot in the rotation, and spring training will be their test. Francis performed well for the Blue Jays last season in a starter role and even nearly recorded a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels last season. It’s possible that Rodríguez could pitch in both roles.
This is assuming the Blue Jays don’t acquire any more pitchers, which would likely come through trades. Atkins announced that the Blue Jays likely won’t be signing any more free agents this offseason, saying “I think if there’s a way to upgrade any aspect…at this point it would require a trade for us to add to the team,” according to Sportsnet.
Option As a Swingman
Having Rodríguez pitch as a swingman (starter/reliever) would be a logical plan for the Blue Jays. A swingman has to possess the robustness of a starter while also having the flexibility to pitch in the pen. Rodríguez fits this role perfectly. If he loses out on a full-time starter role, the Blue Jays will likely use him in the swingman role. He has both a commanding fastball (mid-90s) and a sweeper (high-80s) with solid average exit velocity. Last season, according to Baseball Savant, he sported an average exit velocity of 87.8 mph.
His sweeper is effective when he has command of it, providing crucial late movement. Sweepers are generally not that effective against left-handed hitters. It is a type of slider that breaks horizontally across the plate. This makes it effective against right-handed opponents. As we wait to hear more news on Yariel Rodríguez’s role on the roster, it will be interesting to see what the Blue Jays’ final starting rotation will look like for the start of the season.
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