The Toronto Blue Jays have traded for Dominican reliever Yerry Rodríguez from the Texas Rangers, sending right-handed pitcher Josh Mollerus in return. Both players are minor-league bullpen pitchers. The Rangers have assigned Mollerus to their high-A affiliate, while Rodríguez will join Triple-A Buffalo.
Blue Jays Add Yerry Rodríguez to Bullpen from Rangers
Earlier this week, the Rangers designated Yerry Rodríguez for assignment, marking the end of the 26-year-old’s nine-year tenure in the Rangers organization. Rodríguez made his MLB debut with the Rangers in 2022, but his performance over the last three seasons has been disappointing. He has struggled with a 7.11 ERA over just over 30 innings pitched for the Rangers. This season, his struggles continued with a 6.88 ERA across 17 innings, coupled with a concerning ratio of 11 walks to 12 strikeouts. His walk rate has been problematic throughout his minor league career, reaching 15.2% this season with a career ERA of 5.42 over 151 innings pitched in the minors.
What Rodriguez Brings to the Table
Taking a positive perspective on Yerry Rodríguez, he brings power to the bullpen with a career minor league strikeout rate of 28.16%. A change of scenery might benefit the young pitcher, especially if the Blue Jays can help him improve his control issues and refine his game.
The acquisition of Rodríguez by the Blue Jays holds promise. His major league experience as a bullpen pitcher is valuable, particularly given the current challenges facing the Toronto bullpen. With injuries and the recent designation of long-tenured reliever Tim Mayza for assignment, Rodríguez offers a reliable option for the team. While he has experience as a starting pitcher, his primary role has been in relief, where he can contribute multiple innings—a quality that bolsters the Blue Jays’ bullpen depth.
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