Cuban RHP Yariel Rodriguez Gets Release From Japanese Club, Will Hit MLB Free Agency

Pitcher Yariel Rodriguez is finally on track to join MLB after playing six seasons in Cuba and three in Japan.

According to MLB reporter Francys Romero, right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez was granted his release from Nippon Professional Baseball's Chunichi Dragons on Thursday.

Rodriguez, a 26-year-old from Cuba, did not pitch for the Dragons in 2023. He spent the year on the club's restricted list while training in the Dominican Republic.

Per Romero, Rodriguez is now being represented by agent Edgar Mercedes, who has previously negotiated contracts for international prospects Yoenis Cespedes, Luis Robert Jr., Juan Miranda and Yunesky Maya.

Cuban ace in the V World Baseball Classic, RHP Yariel Rodriguez (26) received his release today from the Chunichi Dragons in the NPB, per sources.

Yariel is represented by Edgar Mercedes, a Dominican agent and businessman who has managed this release. Mercedes has previously… pic.twitter.com/rZ2j6l6QH0

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) October 5, 2023

Rodriguez started his professional career at 18 years old in the Cuban National Series. Across seven seasons with Ganaderos de Camaguey, Lenadores de Las Tunas and Gallos de Sancti Spiritus, Rodriguez went 31-26 with a 3.30 ERA, primarily as a starter.

After going to Japan to join the Dragons in 2020, Rodriguez went 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA over the course of 79 appearances and 175.1 innings.

Rodriguez was a member of Team Cuba at the World Baseball Classic in March. He tossed 7.1 innings across two starts, allowing just two earned runs while racking up 10 strikeouts. Rodriguez did walk six batters and hit two more, though, as control issues have followed him from Cuba to Japan to the international stage.

Mercedes still needs to apply for Rodriguez to join MLB free agency, which is set to begin in November. It remains to be seen how quickly Rodriguez will be able to get added to this winter's free agent class.

Several international scouts reportedly told Romero that Rodriguez could secure a five-year deal in the range of $50 million to $70 million.

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