Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: GM noncommittal on 2025 role
Rotowire
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins on Wednesday was noncommittal on Rodriguez's role for next season, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Atkins referred to Rodriguez as a "solid option" for the 2025 rotation and said he's happy with where the pitcher's workload is at as a starter after he threw 107 innings in 2024. However, the GM also noted that, if the club acquires outside help for its rotation, Rodriguez "would be an exceptional reliever." All 21 of Rodriguez's appearances for the Blue Jays this season were as a starter and he should be penciled into next year's rotation, but it doesn't seem to be set in stone.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Sent down to minors
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to their Florida Complex League affiliate Sunday.
Rodriguez had started Saturday's game, so the Blue Jays used his roster spot for some bullpen protection in Sunday's finale. The right-hander will be in the mix for a rotation spot in 2025 after posting a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings in his first year with Toronto.
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Blue Jays' Brandon Eisert: Recalled from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Eisert from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday.
Eisert was up as bullpen protection in the season finale and went two scoreless innings against the Marlins. Yariel Rodriguez was sent down in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Ryan Yarbrough: Piggybacks opener
Rotowire
Yarbrough allowed four hits over 3.2 scoreless innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out three during the loss to Miami.
Yarbrough did not allow a runner to reach scoring position during his outing. He gave up four runs over his final 26.1 innings, dropping his season ERA from 3.86 to a career-best 3.19. He threw 98.2 innings in 44 appearances this season with the Dodgers and Blue Jays.
Burr is opening Sunday's game against the Marlins.
Burr has not given up a run while notching eight strikeouts in 4.1 innings while working as an opener this season. Ryan Yarbrough could come in to log some bulk innings after Burr exits.
Blue Jays' Nathan Lukes: Hits first career homer in loss
Rotowire
Lukes went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Saturday's 8-1 loss to the Marlins.
Lukes hit his first career home run in the first inning, but it would be the only offense the Blue Jays could muster. The 30-year-old has impressed in just 91 plate appearances this season, hitting .303 with 10 RBI, 13 runs scored and a stolen base.
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Blue Jays' Yariel Rodriguez: Strikes out five in loss
Rotowire
Rodriguez (1-8) took the loss against the Marlins on Saturday, allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts over five innings.
Rodriguez allowed two runs in the first inning and was charged with another after departing with no outs in the sixth. The 27-year-old rookie yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his five September outings but also failed to complete more than five frames in any of them. He'll finish the year with a 4.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 85:40 K:BB across 86.2 innings.
Blue Jays' Easton Lucas: Sent to Florida Complex League
Rotowire
The Blue Jays optioned Lucas to the Florida Complex League on Saturday.
Lucas gave up six earned runs in 4.2 innings after joining the Blue Jays' bullpen Tuesday, making him an easy choice for the team to send to its spring training facility to make room for Nick Robertson, who was recalled from Triple-A.
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Blue Jays' Nick Robertson: Recalled from Buffalo
Rotowire
The Blue Jays recalled Robertson from Triple-A Buffalo on Saturday.
Eleven days after being claimed off waivers from the Angels, Robertson will join the Jays' bullpen in order to provide the team with another fresh arm heading into the final two games of the season. The 26-year-old righty owns a 4.38 ERA and 1.38 WHIP through 12.1 innings in the majors this season but will likely be limited to low-leverage situations, given his 7.36 ERA in Triple-A. Easton Lucas was optioned to the Florida Complex League in a corresponding move.
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Blue Jays' Jonatan Clase: Getting rest Saturday
Rotowire
Clase isn't in the Blue Jays' lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
After going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts during Friday's game, Clase will get a day off Saturday while Joey Loperfido starts in center field and bats ninth.
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Blue Jays' Leo Jimenez: Not starting Saturday
Rotowire
Jimenez isn't in Toronto's lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Jimenez will get a breather Saturday after going 2-for-3 with a run scored during a blowout loss in Friday's series opener. While he rests, Davis Schneider will start at second base and bat eighth.
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Blue Jays' Jose Berrios: Knocked around by Marlins
Rotowire
Berrios (16-11) allowed six runs on six hits and three walks over three innings Friday, striking out four and taking a loss against Miami.
Berrios never found his footing and was chased early. He coughed up three runs in the first inning and two more in the second. His wild pitch in the third inning allowed a sixth run to score before he left the contest. Berrios had allowed two or fewer earned runs in eight straight starts before Friday's hiccup. Despite the poor outing, he posted a strong 2.95 ERA in 12 starts after the All-Star break. Overall, he finished his 2024 campaign with a 3.60 ERA and a 153:54 K:BB through 192.1 innings.
Blue Jays' Chris Bassitt: Not pitching in season finale
Rotowire
Manager John Schneider said Friday that Bassitt won't start Sunday's game against Miami, Keegan Matheson of MLB.com reports.
Bassitt was slated to start the Blue Jays' final game of the 2024 season, but the 35-year-old right-hander will be rested instead. Schneider didn't name a replacement starter. Bassitt finishes the campaign with a 4.16 ERA -- his worst since 2016 -- along with a 1.46 WHIP and 168:70 K:BB across 171 innings (31 starts).
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Blue Jays' Joey Loperfido: On bench Friday
Rotowire
Loperfido is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.
Loperfido is idle for the third time in seven games, giving way to Jonatan Clase in center field Friday. While Loperfido's playing time in center has been slipping, he's gotten a couple of looks in left field over the last four games.
