The Toronto Blue Jays are in a bit of a tight spot. With Max Scherzer injured and Easton Lucas struggling to replicate his early-season success, the Jays are currently without a fifth starter, and the club is turning to Yariel Rodríguez to open today’s game against the Boston Red Sox.

The club also brought in Eric Lauer to help with the matters, although manager John Schneider mentioned before the game that Lauer is not necessarily guaranteed to follow Rodríguez tonight, given the Bisons’ pitchers’ travel day into Toronto and depending on the early outcome against Boston. Casey Lawrence was designated for assignment to make room for Lauer.

So far this season, Rodríguez owns a 4.63 ERA through 10 relief outings and 11 2/3 innings. He’s allowed six earned runs and three homers through his appearances and has five free passes compared to nine strikeouts. Schneider is hoping for a few innings from the right-hander and noted that he wanted the Cuban product to face the right-handed hitting Trevor Story and Alex Bregman versus having a left-hander start against Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers at the top of the lineup.

On the bump for the Red Sox will be Lucas Giolito, who makes his long-awaited debut with Boston after undergoing Tommy John surgery early last season.

Through five minor league appearances to start the 2025 campaign, the right-hander owns a 5.19 ERA through 17 1/3 innings and has allowed 10 earned runs and 13 walks. Giolito has compiled a 1.79 WHIP through his MiLB reps, and opponents have authored a .269 average against the veteran right-hander. For his career at the Rogers Centre, Giolito has amassed a 4.30 ERA through four starts.

For the lineup, Addison Barger gets the nod in right field while George Springer will be suiting up in left field, putting Alan Roden on the bench. The bats will be looking to spoil Giolito’s debut and improve upon the four hits they generated in yesterday’s contest.

Alejandro Kirk will work behind the plate, with today being his bobblehead day for the first 15,000 fans in attendance.

Location: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Canada

First Pitch: 7:07 pm EST

Watch/Listen: Sportsnet / Sportsnet 590 The Fan

Toronto Blue Jays – Yariel Rodríguez: 0-0 record, 4.63 ERA, 11 2/3 IP, 9 SO, 5 BB

Boston Red Sox – Lucas Giolito: 0-0 record, 0.00 ERA, 0 IP, 0 SO, 0 BB