Reinforcements are on the way for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Toronto is calling up right-hander Yariel Rodriguez from triple-A, Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi confirmed on Thursday. Sportsnet’s Arden Zwelling added that Rodriguez was with the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday and that the club planned to activate him to add to its 26-man roster on Saturday.
Francys Romero first reported the call-up.
The Cuban hurler was signed to a five-year, $32-million contract by the Blue Jays in the off-season.
Though he had a late start to spring training due to back spasms, he was solid in the two games he started, pitching a total of five innings giving up only one run on two hits while striking out three.
In two starts with triple-A Buffalo this season, he has yet to give up a run in 6.1 innings and has only surrendered one hit. He has 10 strikeouts in that time.
The Blue Jays kick off their three-game interleague series against the Colorado Rockies on Friday, with first pitch at 7:07 p.m. ET / 4:07 p.m. PT. You can watch the game on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+