YARIEL RODRÍGUEZ NEWS

GM noncommittal on 2025 role Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Wednesday was noncommittal on Rodriguez's role for next season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.

Impact Atkins referred to Rodriguez as a "solid option" for the 2025 rotation and said he's happy with where the pitcher's workload is at as a starter after he threw 107 innings in 2024. However, the GM also noted that, if the club acquires outside help for its rotation, Rodriguez "would be an exceptional reliever." All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances for the Blue Jays this season were as a starter and he should be penciled into next year's rotation, but it doesn't seem to be set in stone.

OCTOBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down to minors The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.

Impact Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.

SEPTEMBER 30 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in loss Rodriguez (1-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Impact Rodriguez allowed two runs in the first inning and was charged with another after departing with no outs in the sixth. The 27-year-old rookie yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his five September outings but also failed to complete more than five frames in any of them. He'll finish the year with a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out five in loss Rodriguez (1-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.

Impact Rodriguez allowed two runs in the first inning and was charged with another after departing with no outs in the sixth. The 27-year-old rookie yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his five September outings but also failed to complete more than five frames in any of them. He'll finish the year with a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings.

SEPTEMBER 29 • ROTOWIRE

Allows three runs in loss Rodriguez (1-7) took the loss against the Rays on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks with three strikeouts over four innings.

Impact Rodriguez generated an impressive 12 swinging strikes on 81 pitches but was mostly burned by a two-run homer in the third inning. He has yielded only five earned runs through four September outings but has also completed five frames just once in that span. The 27-year-old will carry a 4.41 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 80:38 K:BB across 81.2 innings into his final matchup of the season against the Marlins next week.

SEPTEMBER 22 • ROTOWIRE

Tosses 4.1 innings Rodriguez allowed a run on three hits and one walk over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out two during the win over St. Louis.

Impact Rodriguez worked through four shutout frames before the Cardinals tallied a run in the fifth inning. He's thrown fewer than six innings in 11 consecutive appearances, registering a 4.75 ERA while going 0-3 over 47.1 frames during that span. Rodriguez owns a 4.29 ERA with a 77:35 K:BB through 77.2 innings on the year. His next start is lined up to be in Tampa Bay.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Fans six in five strong innings Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to Atlanta, allowing one earned run on two hits and one walk while striking out six.

Impact The only blemish on Rodriguez's line was a solo home run by Jared Kelenic in the second inning. Outside of that mishap, Rodriguez was superb, cruising through five innings on just 73 pitches while racking up six strikeouts. The 27-year-old rookie has had an up and down season, logging a 4.42 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 75:34 K:BB in 73.1 innings. Rodriguez will look to keep rolling in his next start, currently scheduled for next weekend against the Cardinals.

SEPTEMBER 9 • ROTOWIRE

Only lasts three innings Rodriguez (1-7) took the loss Sunday against the Twins no runs in three hits and two walks while striking out three over three innings.

Impact Rodriguez had his shortest outing since he went just two-thirds of an inning July 29. The 27-year-old threw 57 pitches across three innings and only faced any real danger in the first inning when he had the bases loaded. Though it was an abbreviated start, it was the first time in four outings Rodriguez didn't surrender a home run, but he has issued at last a walk every time he's stepped on the mound. For the year, he owns a 4.61 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 69:33 K:BB in 68.1 innings. He lines up for a road series against Atlanta his next times out.

SEPTEMBER 2 • ROTOWIRE

Hit hard in Fenway loss Rodriguez (1-6) took the loss Tuesday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and a walk over five innings as the Blue Jays were downed 6-3 by the Red Sox. He struck out three.

Impact Half of the hits off the right-hander went for extra bases, including a leadoff homer by Jarren Duran. Rodriguez had served up just one home run in his first 30 innings since coming off the IL in late June, but over his last four trips to the mound he's been taken deep six times, leading to a 7.20 ERA in 20 frames over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which currently lines up to come on the road this weekend in Minnesota.

AUGUST 28 • ROTOWIRE

Squanders early lead Wednesday Rodriguez came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 11-7 loss to the Reds, surrendering five runs on six hits and two walks over 4.1 innings. He struck out six.

Impact The Blue Jays' offense handed Rodriguez a 6-0 lead through three innings, but the right-hander couldn't make it hold up. He got the hook after 87 pitches (51 strikes), and he's failed to complete five innings in three of his last five trips to the mound, stumbling to a 5.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 21:10 K:BB through 20.1 innings over that stretch. Toronto came into the season expecting to have to monitor Rodriguez's workload after he didn't pitch at all in 2023 and handled a relief role in Japan the three years prior, and while injuries have limited him to only 80 innings so far in 2024 between Triple-A Buffalo and the majors, he could be running out of gas.

AUGUST 22 • ROTOWIRE

Gives up three homers Friday Rodriguez allowed four runs on four hits and two walks over five innings in a no-decision Friday against the Cubs. He struck out five.

Impact All four runs charged to Rodriguez came via the long ball. He allowed a two-run shot to Cody Bellinger in the opening inning before the Cubs added two more solo homers in the fifth. The Blue Jays would come back in the ninth to tie the game, sparing Rodriguez a loss, though he still hasn't earned a win since July 6. However, the right-hander had been pitching well coming into Friday's outing, allowing just one run in his previous two starts (10.1 innings). Overall, Rodriguez is 1-5 on the year with a 3.93 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 57:27 K:BB across 55 innings. He's currently slated for a home matchup with the Reds in his next start.

AUGUST 16 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one run in tough-luck loss Rodriguez (1-5) took the loss against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Impact Rodriguez was locked in a pitcher's duel with Osvaldo Bido before surrendering a solo homer to Brent Rooker in the sixth inning, and that was all the Athletics would need for the win. Rodriguez reached a season-high 85 pitches and has yielded two earned runs or fewer in nine of 12 starts this season. The 27-year-old owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 52:25 K:BB across 50 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Cubs next week.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Allows one run in tough-luck loss Rodriguez (1-5) took the loss against the Athletics on Saturday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk with five strikeouts over 5.2 innings.

Impact Rodriguez was locked in a pitcher's duel with Osvaldo Bido before surrendering a solo homer to Brent Rooker in the sixth inning, but that was all the Athletics would need for the win. He reached a season-high 85 pitches and has yielded two earned runs or fewer in nine of 12 starts this season. The 27-year-old owns a 3.60 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 52:25 K:BB across 50 innings and lines up for a road matchup with the Cubs next week.

AUGUST 11 • ROTOWIRE

Fires 4.2 scoreless innings Rodriguez did not factor into the decision in Sunday's loss to the Yankees, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out four in 4.2 scoreless innings.

Impact Rodriguez struggled with control and lasted just 0.2 innings in his previous start, walking four batters and allowing four runs (three earned) in a loss to Baltimore. Sunday was a much different story, however, as Rodriguez blanked the Yankees while throwing over 67 percent of his pitches for strikes. The 27-year-old has pitched well in six starts since July 1, posting a robust 2.60 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 30:13 K:BB across 27.2 innings. Rodriguez will look to keep rolling in his next start, tentatively scheduled for next weekend against the Athletics.

AUGUST 4 • ROTOWIRE

Getting start Sunday Rodriguez will start Sunday's road game against the Yankees, Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reports.

Impact After posting a 2.01 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his first four starts of July, Rodriguez unraveled in his latest outing Monday. Taking the hill for Game 1 of a doubleheader with the Orioles, Rodriguez failed to escape the first inning while exhibiting a complete loss of control. He spotted just 21 of his 43 pitches for strikes and recorded two outs while allowing four runs (three earned) on four walks and one hit. Toronto optioned him to Triple-A Buffalo following the outing, only to recall him Tuesday as a replacement for Yusei Kikuchi, who was traded to Houston. Despite the rough outing Monday, Rodriguez will stick in the rotation for another turn, though he might have a shorter leash. Bowden Francis started the second game of Monday's doubleheader and tossed 5.2 innings of three-run ball, and while he's not in line to start this weekend against the Yankees, the Blue Jays could elect to have him piggyback Rodriguez if the latter struggles to find the strike zone early on in Sunday's contest.

AUGUST 1 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to big leagues Toronto recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Impact Rodriguez was sent down Monday immediately after yielding four runs (three earned) with four walks in two-thirds of an inning during the Blue Jays' 11-5 loss to the Orioles in the first game of a doubleheader. However, with the Blue Jays trading Yusei Kikuchi to Houston on Monday and opting to send Jake Bloss -- who was acquired by Toronto in the trade -- to Triple-A, Rodriguez is eligible to rejoin the big club. Because he tossed only 43 pitches Monday, Rodriguez likely won't need the typical four days' rest before he returns to the hill. The Blue Jays could stay away from him Tuesday, but the club has an opening in the rotation for Wednesday's series finale in Baltimore and might look to Rodriguez to start or eat innings out of the bullpen in that contest.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Blue Jays Toronto recalled Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday.

Impact Rodriguez was sent down Monday immediately after yielding four runs (three earned) with four walks in two-thirds of an inning during a start against the Orioles. However, with the Blue Jays trading Yusei Kikuchi to Houston and opting to put Jake Bloss -- who was acquired by Toronto in the trade -- in Triple-A, Rodriguez is set to re-enter the rotation.

JULY 30 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down after rough start The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Rodriguez had seemingly earned some leash in the Blue Jays' rotation with how well he had pitched lately, having come into Monday's start against the Orioles with a 2.01 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings in his first four starts this month. However, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against Toronto, yielding four runs (three earned) on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. While that poor outing has cost Rodriguez his roster spot for now, he should be back in August.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Sent down after rough start The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports.

Impact Rodriguez had seemingly earned some leash in the Blue Jays rotation with how well he had pitched lately, having come into Monday's start against the Orioles with a 2.01 ERA and 25:8 K:BB over 22.1 innings in his first four starts this month. However, he lasted only two-thirds of an inning against Baltimore, yielding four runs (three earned) on one hit, four walks and a hit-by-pitch. While that poor outing has cost Rodriguez his roster spot for now, he should be back with the big club in August.

JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE

Takes another no-decision Rodriguez allowed two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out six over 5.2 innings in a no-decision versus the Rays on Wednesday.

Impact Rodriguez retired the first 12 batters he faced, but he allowed two hits and a run in the fifth inning. His walk in the sixth inning also came around to score the tying run after Brendon Little couldn't work out of trouble, denying Rodriguez a chance at his second win of the campaign. The 27-year-old right-hander has gone at least five innings in three of his last four starts as he begins to get more comfortable in the majors. For the year, he has a 3.69 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 42:19 K:BB through 39 innings over nine starts. Rodriguez's next outing is projected to be a tough road start in Baltimore.

JULY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Strikes out seven in no-decision Rodriguez allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out seven over four innings in a no-decision versus the Diamondbacks.

Impact Rodriguez failed to complete six innings for the first time in his three July starts. He was a bit inefficient, but the Blue Jays' offense was able to get him off the hook for the loss. Rodriguez has a 3.78 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 36:18 K:BB over 33.1 innings through his first eight big-league starts. That walk rate is likely to remain an issue, though there's obvious upside with his strikeouts, and he's only given up three home runs so far.

JULY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first big-league victory Rodriguez (1-3) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed one run and two walks while striking out six batters.

Impact Rodriguez finished without allowing a run for the first time through seven big-league starts and gathered his first win. He induced a modest eight swinging strikes but still managed a healthy six punchouts. This was the second straight quality start for the rookie right-hander, and he's allowed just one run over 12.2 frames while posting a 12:4 K:BB across the two-game stretch.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Notches first big-league victory Rodriguez (1-3) earned the win over Seattle on Saturday, pitching six scoreless innings during which he allowed one run and two walks while striking out six batters.

Impact Rodriguez finished without allowing a run for the first time through seven big-league starts and gathered his first win. He induced a modest eight swinging strikes but still managed a healthy six punchouts. This was the second straight quality start for the rookie right-hander, and he's allowed just one run over 12.2 frames while posting a 12:4 K:BB across the two-game stretch.

JULY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start Monday Rodriguez is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Astros in Toronto, Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Impact After returning from the 15-day injured list June 21 and giving up five runs (four earned) over 1.1 innings in a loss to Cleveland that day, Rodriguez made his next turn through the rotation this past Wednesday in Boston. However, with that game getting paused in the top of the second inning due to severe weather and later postponed, Rodriguez won't get credited with statistics for that game until the contest is resumed Aug. 26 as part of a split doubleheader. As a result, Monday's start against the Astros will officially be Rodriguez's second since he returned from the IL.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Reinstated to start Friday The Blue Jays reinstated Rodriguez (back) from the 15-day injured list to start Friday against the Guardians.

Impact The right-hander has been on the shelf since late April due to thoracic spine inflammation, but he'll re-enter Toronto's rotation for Friday's series opener in Cleveland. Rodriguez built up to 79 pitches in his final rehab outing and should be able to handle a full starting workload. However, the Blue Jays were handling the 27-year-old's workload carefully prior to the injury, so it's possible Rodriguez is utilized in conjunction with Bowden Francis, who has been handling a bulk-relief role.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE