The Toronto Blue Jays underwent a significant bullpen overhaul in 2025, dramatically improving from one of the league’s weakest units the previous year. A key factor in this transformation has been reliever Yariel Rodríguez, who has stepped up with impressive consistency and effectiveness. Signed as an international free agent before the 2024 season, Rodríguez transitioned from a hybrid starter and reliever role into a full-time bullpen pitcher, seizing the opportunity to excel.

Challenges Faced During MLB Adjustment Period

Rodríguez’s rookie season in 2024 was marked by growing pains as he adjusted to the higher level of competition in Major League Baseball. He finished the year with a 1-8 record and a 4.47 ERA over 21 starts and 86.2 innings, a performance that placed him amid several struggling Blue Jays pitchers. Despite these numbers, Rodríguez was not the least effective arm on the team‘s staff, as four other pitchers with over 40 innings logged higher ERAs.

Having joined the Blue Jays after a successful stint in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball with the Chunichi Dragons, Rodríguez faced a difficult transition. In Japan’s Central League, his last season saw him achieve a 6-2 record with a stellar 1.18 ERA and a 0.915 WHIP, earning him the league’s Most Valuable Setup Man Award. However, the jump from NPB to MLB proved to be a steep challenge, especially as Rodríguez struggled with control issues, walking nearly 11% of batters faced in 2024. Baseball Savant ranked his control in the 16th percentile, an area he needed to improve to compete reliably at the MLB level.

Key Adjustments and Pitching Style Refinement

Entering the 2025 season determined to improve on his rookie campaign, Rodríguez made several crucial adjustments to his pitching approach. He has reduced the use of his curveball, which despite having strong movement, had one of the worst run values in the league last season. Instead, he has focused on increasing velocity and refining his other pitches, especially his splitter, which has become a highly effective weapon out of the bullpen.

This season, Rodríguez boasts a much-improved 2.61 ERA over 38 innings with 36 strikeouts and only 12 walks, showing clear progress in controlling free passes. His ERA and WHIP have notably dropped, with his WHIP decreasing from 1.32 in 2024 to an impressive 0.868. His BABIP of .179 ranks fourth-best in MLB among relievers, reflecting his effectiveness in limiting batted ball success.

Rodríguez’s fastball velocity has notably increased, with his four-seam fastball going from 93.9 mph to 96.2 mph and his sinker from 93.3 mph to 95.7 mph. Additionally, his splitter now moves horizontally more than 15 inches and is one of the hardest thrown in the majors at nearly 90 mph. These enhancements have helped establish Rodríguez as a dependable bullpen arm for the Blue Jays.

Performance Under Pressure and Potential Closing Role

Though primarily used as a starter during his rookie year, Rodríguez has thrived in high-leverage relief appearances this season. He has been deployed in the 8th inning or later on 11 occasions, compiling a solid 3.55 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP across 12.2 innings, striking out 11 batters and walking five. However, not all these appearances have been in critical game situations, sometimes occurring during blowouts where his impact was less crucial.

To gauge Rodríguez’s effectiveness in meaningful moments, analysts refer to his performance in appearances with an Average Leverage Index (aLI) of 1.00 or higher, which indicates higher pressure. In these 10 games spanning 14.2 innings, he posted a 2.45 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 11.05 strikeouts per nine innings, and 5.52 hits allowed per nine innings. His pitch efficiency in these situations stands out, averaging just under 15 pitches per outing.

Rodríguez’s strong performances in critical moments underscore his value to the Blue Jays bullpen. In May, he maintained a remarkable 16.2-inning scoreless streak, establishing himself as one of the most reliable relievers in the league during that stretch.

Outlook for Rodríguez’s Role with the Blue Jays

While Rodríguez’s recent success and reliable high-leverage performances suggest that he could be a candidate for the closer role, the Blue Jays currently have Jeff Hoffman, acquired via free agency, earmarked for that position. Hoffman’s presence means Rodríguez’s path to closing games is currently blocked, but if the team reassesses Hoffman’s role during the season, Rodríguez is poised to be at the front of the line to step into the closer job.

The Blue Jays’ restructured bullpen, bolstered by Rodríguez’s adaptation and growth, represents a marked improvement from the previous season. His transformation and dedication have not only strengthened Toronto’s pitching staff but also enhanced the team’s overall competitiveness as they look to sustain success in future campaigns.