Yariel Rodríguez

Yariel Humberto Rodríguez Yordy (born March 10, 1997) is a Cuban professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons. He has also played in the Cuban National Series for Ganaderos de Camagüey and for the Cuba national baseball team in international competitions.

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Yordy.
Yariel Rodríguez
Rodriguez with the Chunichi Dragons
Toronto Blue Jays – No. 29
Pitcher
Born: (1997-03-10) March 10, 1997
Camagüey, Cuba
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
NPB: August 9, 2020, for the Chunichi Dragons
MLB: April 13, 2024, for the Toronto Blue Jays
NPB statistics
(through 2022 season)
Win–loss record10–10
Earned run average3.03
Strikeouts188
MLB statistics
(through June 21, 2024)
Win–loss record0–2
Earned run average5.94
Strikeouts17
Teams

Professional career

Chunichi Dragons

Rodríguez had previously been linked with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)[1] before signing with NPB's Chunichi Dragons on a development deal on January 26, 2020.[2] Rodríguez recorded a 3–4 win-loss record and 4.12 earned run average (ERA) in 11 appearances in his first year with Chunichi.

In 2021, Rodríguez made 12 appearances with Chunichi's main team, posting a 1–4 record and 3.65 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 61+2⁄3 innings pitched. In 2022, he pitched in 56 games for the club, logging a 6–2 record and a 1.15 ERA with 60 strikeouts in 54+2⁄3 innings of work. He was named the Central League Most Valuable Setup Pitcher following the season.

On March 28, 2023, Rodríguez unilaterally left the Dragons to seek a contract with a Major League Baseball (MLB) team.[3] The Dragons have declared that the contract with Rodríguez is still valid.[4][5] On October 5, Rodríguez was officially released by Chunichi, and it was reported that he would look to sign an MLB contract.[6]

Toronto Blue Jays

On February 9, 2024, Rodríguez signed a five-year, $32 million contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[7] He was optioned to the Triple–A Buffalo Bisons to begin the 2024 season.[8] On April 13, Rodríguez was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[9]

Pitching style

As a reliever, Rodríguez throws a fastball topping out at 100 miles per hour (161 km/h) and a slider as his two primary pitches.[10]

International career

Rodriguez was part of the Cuba national baseball team at the 2019 WBSC Premier12 tournament.[11] He started the first game of the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Cuba, striking out six and giving up one run in four innings against the Netherlands.

References
  1. "SoftBank podría tener interés en Yariel Rodríguez también" [SoftBank may have an interest in Yariel Rodríguez as well]. Cuban Ball (in Spanish). 2018-09-05. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  2. "中日 キューバ出身のヤリエル・ロドリゲス投手と育成契約" [Chunichi sign development deal with Cuban pitcher, Yariel Rodriguez]. Sponichi (in Japanese). 2020-01-26. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
  3. "Yariel Rodriguez: Leaves Japan seeking MLB deal". cbssports.com. Retrieved 2023-03-28.
  4. "亡命？ロドリゲスから連絡まだ来ず 中日球団代表「現在はドラゴンズの選手」/デイリースポーツ online". 27 June 2023.
  5. "【中日】亡命報道のジャリエル・ロドリゲスはドミニカ共和国にいた！トレーニング動画を米記者がツイッターで公開：中日スポーツ・東京中日スポーツ".
  6. "Yariel Rodriguez: Looking for MLB deal". cbssports.com. Retrieved October 5, 2023.
  7. "Blue Jays announce 5-year deal with Cuban righty Rodríguez". MLB.com.
  8. "Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Optioned to Triple-A". cbssports.com. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  9. "Blue Jays Recall Yariel Rodriguez". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved April 13, 2024.
  10. "中日・ロドリゲス MLB入り目指し亡命か？キューバ代表としてWBC出場 米記者報じる - スポニチ Sponichi Annex 野球".
  11. "Cuba's Premier12 roster mixes veterans, future stars". WBSC. 2019-10-13. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
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