Reliever’s bid to crack Blue Jays roster takes a hit after dramatic velocity dip

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez is facing an uphill climb in his quest to make the Opening Day roster. Those chances took a hit after his first Spring Training outing on Sunday (Feb. 22). The results were disastrous (six earned runs, five hits, one strikeout, one walk in 0.2 IP), but even more concerning is the drop in velocity of his fastball

After averaging nearly 97 mph (96.8) in April and May, Rodriguez’s average fastball speed dropped to 95.7 mph by the end of the season. On Sunday, the reliever averaged just 92.6 mph on his heater. In the following outing on Thursday (Feb. 26) he had two pitches that sat above 94 while most of them were in the 92-93 mph range.

Reliever’s bid to crack Blue Jays roster takes a hit after dramatic velocity dip

It’s an alarming trend that has coincided with a lack of effectiveness. After establishing himself as one of the trusted arms in the bullpen early in the season, the Cuban native fell more and more out of favor with the coaching staff as he battled control issues in addition to his dip in fastball speed. 

In the first half of the season, Rodriguez had a 2.47ERA, with 46 K’s, and 16 BB in 47.1 IP. Following the All-Star break, the right-hander’s numbers were down across the board: 4.21 ERA, 20 K’s, 18 BB in 25.2 IP. This resulted in him being used sparingly in the playoffs and being left off the World Series roster. The numbers and eye tests also make it easy to understand why the Blue Jays removed him from the 40-man roster and outrighted him to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons in December.

His first spring training appearance couldn’t have gone much worse, and this will be a storyline to track throughout camp. By out-righting him to the Bisons, the Blue Jays aren’t as invested in Rodriguez as they once were, but he is under contract for this season and next, with a team option for 2028 as well.

The decision to remove him from the 40-man roster may prove to be beneficial to both parties. He can work on his control and velocity with the Bisons and get called up if and when he’s ready, while the Blue Jays can select the best relief pitchers on their roster to begin the season without having to put Y-Rod on waivers. 

Rodriguez’s stunning drop in velocity is baffling. He’s 28 years old, and age should’t be a factor. His next few spring appearances will be important before he heads off to represent Cuba in the World Baseball Classic beginning on March 4th. After starting two games for Cuba during the 2023 WBC, Y-Rod is expected to come out of the bullpen exclusively at the short tournament, and will not likely exceed two innings in any appearance. Maybe the thrill of pitching in the international tournament will galvanize Rodriguez to regain the electric stuff he showed at times during the first two years of his MLB career

He’s got considerable room to improve and will need to be much better to be even considered for a call-up during the season.