The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly reached an agreement with Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez, who they have coveted for some time.
Ken Rosenthal, journalist for The Athletic website, said this on Wednesday, explaining that the multi-year contract will be official if the athlete passes his medical examinations. There are also hurdles to his immigration.
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According to journalist Francys Romero, the shooter would have received a four-year contract worth a total of $32 million.
Rodriguez would also be the first Cuban-born pitcher to work for the Blue Jays.
The right-hander had an excellent season with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan in 2022. In 56 appearances on the mound, he maintained a 1.15 ERA and totaled 60 strikeouts.
The soon-to-be 27-year-old decided not to join the Dragons for the 2023 season and the club released him last November. However, Rodriguez held training sessions in front of professional Major League Baseball scouts in the Dominican Republic last year.
Rodriguez played professional baseball in Cuba from 2015 to 2019 before making the jump to Japan. He also represented his country at the last World Baseball Classic. He posted a 2.45 earned run average in seven and two-thirds of innings.