Yariel Rodríguez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said that right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will be stretched out for a starting role in spring training and will compete for the fifth spot in the Opening Day starting rotation. Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling says to expect Jake Bloss, Adam Macko, Eric Lauer and Adam Kloffenstein to provide the next layer of starting depth at Triple-A Buffalo. As things stand now with health aside this spring, Rodriguez should be the No. 6 starter behind Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis and future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer. The 27-year-old Cuban hurler will most likely be in Toronto's rotation at some point in 2025, but expect him to open up the year in the bullpen, barring an injury this spring from any of the five names in front of him. In 21 starts as a rookie in 2024, Y-Rod went 1-8 with a 4.47 ERA and 1.31 WHIP.

Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Yariel Rodriguez could be bumped from the starting rotation in Toronto in 2025 to the bullpen after the team signed future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer on Thursday. However, even if Rodriguez opens the year as a reliever, there's a good bet he'll be starting games at some point with Scherzer over 40 and Chris Bassitt, Kevin Gausman and Jose Berrios all in their 30s. Toronto could also mix in Rodriguez as a starter in April, when the team has a stretch of 13 games in a row. Even if the Blue Jays employ a standard five-man rotation, Rodriguez will almost certainly be stretched out as a starter in spring training. The 27-year-old is reportedly open to a swing role after posting a 4.47 ERA with 85 K's and 40 walks in 86 2/3 innings over 21 starts a year ago. The Cuban hurler hasn't gone over 100 innings since 2018, so a swing role is probably ideal for both him and Toronto.

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins didn't exactly to commit to a firm role for Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodriguez heading into the offseason. Atkins called Rodriguez a "solid option" for the Blue Jays in the starting rotation and is happy with where his workload is at as a starter. However, Atkins also said, "If we were to acquire one, I think he would be an exceptional reliever." It sounds as though the Blue Jays will continue to be flexible with the 27-year-old's role heading into next year. Toronto was careful with Rodriguez's workload in 2024 in his first year in the big leagues after not pitching in affiliated ball at all in 2023. All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances in his rookie year for the Blue Jays came in a starting role, and he finished with a 4.47 ERA (4.34 FIP), a 1.31 WHIP and an 85:40 K:BB in 86 2/3 total innings. Rodriguez will be much more attractive in fantasy leagues in 2025 if he's starting again.