Another Toronto Blue Jays player joined the list of those committed to the upcoming World Baseball Classic on Thursday.
According to Francys Romero on X, right-hander Yariel Rodriguez will play for Team Cuba in the international tournament.
Romero added that Rodriguez received approval from the Blue Jays but will not pitch more than two innings at a time out of the bullpen in the WBC. He was outrighted off Toronto's 40-man roster last month, previously signing a five-year, $32 million contract with the AL East club before the 2024 season.
Rodriguez's future with the Blue Jays
Rodriguez will enter spring training as a non-roster invite, hoping to regain his 26-man roster spot with the Blue Jays. He posted a 3.08 ERA and 1.151 WHIP in 66 games in 2025, recording 66 strikeouts and 34 walks in 73 innings.
The 28-year-old was on the Blue Jays' roster for last year's ALDS and ALCS, but was not rostered as a player in the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Rodriguez is set to earn $6.4 million in 2026, but at the moment, the Blue Jays deemed him not worthy of a spot with the Major League club.
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