Yariel Rodriguez called up by Blue Jays to make MLB debut; Paolo Espino optioned
Highly touted free agent Yariel Rodriguez is set to make his Major League Baseball debut for the Toronto Blue Jays.
The right-handed pitcher was recalled by the Blue Jays from their triple-A affiliate in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday morning, hours before Toronto hosted the Colorado Rockies. Rodriguez was the Blue Jays starting pitcher in the game, although Toronto manager John Schneider said the 26-year-old Cuban would be limited to approximately 70 pitches.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
“He's a damn good pitcher and we're just looking to see him do his thing and compete,” said Schneider in his office before the game. “He's coming right after you, against an aggressive team, so no real expectations, just kind of anxious to see him get going.”
Long reliever Paolo Espino was optioned to the triple-A Bisons in a corresponding move.
Rodriguez agreed to a US$32-million, five-year contract with the Blue Jays in the off-season. He has pitched as a starter and a reliever in top leagues in Cuba and Japan.
He has not allowed a run in 6 1/3 innings as a starting pitcher for Buffalo this season, striking out 10 over his two starts.
His last full baseball season was in 2022 when he had a 6-2 record as a reliever for the Chunichi Dragons in the Japan Central League with a 1.15 earned-run average over 56 appearances as a reliever.
“He's well travelled, for sure, and has seen different ways that the game is played,” said Schneider. “I think he combines a little bit of everything between his delivery, the way he pitches.
“He's got a little bit of everything kind of coming at you.”
The 37-year-old Espino has a 7.71 ERA in two appearances for Toronto this season, striking out two over 4 2/3 innings. His demotion comes a day after he gave up four runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings in a 12-4 loss to Colorado. Schneider said that Espino was professional when he was told he was being demoted.
“He's been around forever and when we talked to him this morning, he gets that it's part of the game,” said Schneider. “I don't think that there's a mean bone in his body.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 13, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.
3 law officers serving warrant are killed, 5 wounded in shootout at North Carolina home, police say
Three officers on a U.S. Marshals Task Force serving a warrant for a felon wanted for possessing a firearm were killed and five other officers were wounded in a shootout Monday at a North Carolina home, police said.
'Shocked and concerned': Calgary principal charged with possession of child pornography
A Calgary elementary school principal has been charged with possession of child pornography, authorities announced Monday.
Health authority confirms cockroaches at B.C. hospital, insists they 'do not bite'
The Vancouver Island Health Authority is downplaying what staff describe as a cockroach infestation in a medical unit of Saanich Peninsula Hospital.
Toronto police arrest 12 people, lay 102 charges in major credit card fraud scheme
Toronto police say 12 people are facing a combined 102 charges in connection with an investigation into a major credit fraud scheme.
Winner of US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot is an immigrant from Laos who has cancer
One of the winners of a historic US$1.3 billion Powerball jackpot last month is an immigrant from Laos who has had cancer for eight years and had his latest chemotherapy treatment last week.
Britney and Jamie Spears settlement avoids long, potentially ugly and revealing trial
Britney Spears and her father Jamie Spears will avoid what could have been a long, ugly and revealing trial with a settlement of the lingering issues in the court conservatorship that controlled her life and financial decisions for nearly 14 years.
WATCH 'Double whammy': What happens if you don't file your taxes by the deadline
The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.