Toronto Blue Jays Reportedly Set Spring Debut For Key Free Agent Acquisition
Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher Yariel Rodriguez is reportedly set to make his spring training debut this weekend.
Per Arden Zwelling of Sportsnet on social media:
Blue Jays were happy with Yariel Rodriguez’s two-inning live BP on Tuesday. He’s currently scheduled to pitch two innings on Sunday in Dunedin vs the Twins.
Plan is to build Rodriguez up to five innings by the end of camp.
This is good news for the team, as Rodriguez signed a five-year deal this offseason. He had been slowed earlier in camp by back spasms.
It's not known yet what the Jays' plan is for Rodriguez but there would seemingly be multiple options on the table. If they are planning to get him to five innings by the end of spring training, could he be a candidate for the fifth starters spot thanks to the injury issues with Alek Manoah?
Furthermore, could they send him to Triple-A to work as a starter and continue to build up his pitch count? Or do they see him as a swing man who can work in the bullpen at the start of the major league season?
Heading into camp, it seemed that Jose Berrios, Kevin Gausman, Yusei Kikuchi, Chris Bassitt and Manoah had a grasp on starting rotation spots, but with Manoah's injury, the situation is now more unsettled.
Toronto finished third in the American League East a season ago and advanced to the playoffs, where they were beaten by the Minnesota Twins in the wild card round.
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