Before the 2024 season, the Toronto Blue Jays signed right-handed pitcher Yariel Rodriguez to a five-year deal worth just more than $30 million.

Earlier this offseason, the Jays outrighted Rodriguez off the 40-man roster, indicating that they had no desire to have him on the big league roster anymore.

However, with spring training just underway, it's worth asking: Is there a path back to the big leagues with Toronto for Rodriguez?

Still just 28 years old, the Cuban went 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 66 games last season. However, his peripheral numbers weren't as impressive. He struck out just 66 batters in 73.0 innings and his FIP of 4.40 suggests that there was an element of luck to his low ERA.

Rodriguez has three years and just over $17 million remaining on his contract.

1) The Blue Jays can add him back to the 40-man roster this spring and put him on the Opening Day roster. If they do this, it's clearly not their first choice. If it was, they never would have outrighted him in the first place.

2) The Jays can keep him off the 40-man roster and stash him in the minor leagues. This would be good for organizational depth, but would Rodriguez actually be happy about it considering all that's transpired this offseason?

3) Toronto can trade him to a team in need of a reliever or a depth starter, but they are likely to have to eat most or all of the money to do so.

4) They can release him, also eating most or all of the money.

Well, the Blue Jays have room on their 40-man roster now in the wake of injuries to Bowden Francis and Anthony Santander. Both players are on the 60-day injured list, opening up additional 40-man spots. 

Furthermore, with Shane Bieber injured, Jose Berrios is going to have to leave the bullpen to re-join the starting rotation. That opens up one bullpen spot. If Yimi Garcia isn't ready for Opening Day, that could open up an additional bullpen spot, giving Rodriguez another opportunity to get back into the mix.

Of course, there is competition for these bullpen spots: Brendon Little, Braydon Fisher and Spencer Miles, just to name a few.

Rodriguez is scheduled to play in the World Baseball Classic, meaning he'll leave camp for a period of 1-2 weeks. How will that impact his opportunities to impress in spring training? We will have to find out. Grapefruit League games begin in less than one week.

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