Yariel Rodriguez Leads Intense Workout Session for Boston Red Sox and San Diego Padres Players

Yariel Rodriguez, a right-handed pitcher, conducted a private workout today, as reported by journalist Francys Romero. According to Romero, the Red Sox and Padres had representatives present at the workout to observe Rodriguez’s performance, where he pitched two innings.

Being 27 years old in March, Rodriguez entered free agency after MLB granted his release from the NPB’s Chunichi Dragons in October. During his three seasons with the Dragons, he achieved an impressive 3.03 ERA and a 25.4% strikeout rate over 175 1/3 innings. His standout performance in the 2022 season, boasting a 1.15 ERA, further solidified his resume.

Following his success in Japan, Rodriguez represented his home country of Cuba in the World Baseball Classic as a starting pitcher. Despite limited public evaluations due to his unique free agency situation, his exceptional numbers overseas have piqued the interest of MLB teams looking for pitching talent. MLBTR ranked him #28 on their Top 50 MLB Free Agents list, projecting a lucrative four-year, $32MM contract for him.

Although it remains unclear how much interest has been shown in Rodriguez, the Red Sox and Padres seem to be potential fits for his talents. The Red Sox are eager to bolster their starting pitching, making Rodriguez an attractive secondary acquisition considering their young, versatile arms. On the other hand, the Padres, in need of starting pitchers, could see Rodriguez as a valuable rotation addition at a lower cost compared to top-of-the-market arms.

Rodriguez’s history as a bullpen arm is unlikely to deter the Padres, as they have previously worked with pitchers who transitioned between starting and relief roles. With potential interest from various teams, Rodriguez’s unconventional journey through free agency may soon lead to a new chapter in his professional career.