The battle in the Blue Jays bullpen is starting to thin away.

Per reporter Francys Romero, who is usually first to report on Cuban player-related MLB news, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez has been informed that he will begin the 2026 season in the Blue Jays farm system, reporting to Triple-A. Rodriguez was DFA’d by the Jays this past winter while still owed $21.3 million and passed through waivers unclaimed. He entered this season looking to lock up a spot on the roster through Spring Training.

Last season was an up-and-down campaign for the Cuban product. After being a starter for his first campaign with Toronto, the Jays moved him to be a full-time reliever in 2025, where he found improved results. Across 66 outings, he authored a 3.08 ERA and a 4.40 FIP with a 1.151 WHIP. The free passes have been an issue for Rodriguez, who allowed 34 walks (4.2 BB/9), but he did see an improved H/9 (6.2) compared to his rookie campaign while also holding opponents to a .196/.304/.325 slash line.

Rodriguez struggled through the first month of the campaign, allowing 12 hits and eight earned runs through 12 2/3 innings, and also fell on hard times in August, where he allowed another eight runs across 9 1/3 innings. Take away those two months, and Rodriguez was stellar, allowing no more than three earned runs while hitting double digits in innings pitched.

This spring, Rodriguez struggled in Dunedin but found success when he donned the national jersey at the World Baseball Classic.

With the Jays, he allowed nine hits and seven earned runs through three relief outings, including four walks compared to five strikeouts. At the World Baseball Classic, Rodriguez was a completely different animal, leading Team Cuba with ten punchouts through six innings while allowing just four hits and one earned run while walking zero batters.

Considering Rodriguez is no longer in the running, there are a handful of arms looking for a spot in the Jays’ bullpen, including Chase Lee, Adam Macko, and Rule 5 selections Angel Bastardo and Spencer Miles.

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