Yariel Rodriguez: Everything you need to know

The Blue Jays reassigned Rodriguez to minor-league camp Monday. Rodriguez submitted a 3.83 ERA and 1.24 WHIP across 87 appearances (22 starts) for Toronto over the past two seasons, but he headed into spring training with a slim chance at winning a spot in Toronto's Opening Day bullpen after he was outrighted off the 40-man roster in December. The 29-year-old righty is expected to work in relief at Triple-A Buffalo to begin the season.

Rodriguez will remain a reliever heading into the 2026 season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports. The Blue Jays hope Rodriguez can continue to improve his command out of the bullpen after he excelled in a relief role down the stretch of the 2025 regular season. Free passes became an issue for him during the postseason, issuing four walks in 2.2 frames. Rodriguez was booted from the 40-man roster earlier this month, though he'll have a chance to win his spot back if he puts together a strong spring camp.

Rodriguez cleared waivers Saturday and was sent outright to Triple-A Buffalo, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports. Rodriguez's performance improved considerably upon moving to the bullpen in 2025, as he finished the regular season with a 3.08 ERA and 1.15 WHIP through 73 innings. Despite his strong numbers, he became the roster casualty necessary to make room for Cody Ponce, who signed with the Jays on Tuesday. None of the other 29 clubs were willing to pay Rodriguez the $17 million he's owed over the next three seasons, so the right-hander will remain in the organization without a spot on the 40-man roster and attempt to win it back during spring training.