Toronto Blue Jays welcomed the Cuban pitcher this Saturday Yariel Rodriguez, with whom he reached an agreement for five years and 32 million dollars.
“Yariel Rodriguez “It looks fantastic,” was his message on the social network
Rodríguez arrived in the United States last Friday, February 16, and declared himself very happy upon his arrival at Miami International Airport.
“It was a long stay in the Dominican Republic for me, having work, in the sense of practice, working hard, but very happy with everyone there,” the pitcher, born in Camagüey, told the journalist. Francys Romero.
He announced that “I come mentally prepared to assume the role that I have and that you expect the best from me as I come with everyone.”
About to turn 27, on March 10, Rodríguez let it be known that he likes challenges, referring to an upcoming job as a starter.
“I know I can, I'm going to give my best. “I hope to meet the parameters to be in the starting role,” he noted.
Precisely, with a “Say hello to Y-Rod. Let's give a big welcome to Yariel", the Toronto Blue Jays welcomed the arrival of the pitcher who was one of the great stars that the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) of Japan between 2020 and 2022.
For three seasons he became one of the best relievers in the league, being named Setup of the Year in 2022, when he wore the Chunichi Dragons uniform.
Yariel Rodríguez has been separated since March 2023 of the Cuban Federation and the Chunichi Dragons to try to sign with a Major League organization.
"I want to apologize for leaving my contract like this out of nowhere.. But I decided to follow my dreams, which is to play in MLB, which unfortunately I cannot fulfill from Cuba," he told the Japanese team.
After announcing his decision, a few days after participating in the World Classic, The Cuban entity threatened to sue him for 10 million dollars, but Finally in October it was known that he would not have to pay anything as there is no legal clause that obligates it.
In the Classic, Rodríguez was the starter of the Opening Day against the Netherlands and the clash against Australia in the Quarterfinals that took the Cubans to the semifinals. He finished the tournament with a 0-0 record, 2.45 earned runs allowed and 10 strikeouts in a total of 7.1 innings.
In 2022, his final year with the NPB's Chunichi Dragons, he made 56 appearances and had a 1.15 ERA, allowing seven runs in 54.2 innings.
Yariel has a fastball that remains stable at 95 miles and sometimes reaches 98, he also has an excellent slider and a splitter that reaches around 90 mph.
What do you think?
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