According to Cuban Baseball Digest, Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez will be allowed to play for Cuba in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but there are conditions to his participation.

"Toronto's permission for Yariel Rodríguez for the WBC is for the Cuban to pitch in relief includes the requirement that the Camagüey native always come from the bullpen and cannot exceed two innings per game."

There's actually a lot to this, so let's break down some of what could be going on here.

The 28-year-old Rodriguez was signed to a a five-year deal worth $30 million before the 2024 season. While his 2024 campaign saw him really struggle as a starter, he was much better in 2025. Serving as a reliever, he went 3-2 with a 3.08 ERA in 66 games. He struck out 66 batters in 73.0 innings and helped the Jays reach the World Series.

He was on the playoff roster for the American League Division Series and ALCS before being removed prior to the Fall Classic, and after the big additions of Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, Rodriguez was outrighted off the 40-man roster in December. Tyler Rogers's signing complicates things for him even further.

Well, given that he's not on the 40-man roster, it's pretty clear the Blue Jays don't have huge plans for him right now. They could put him back on the 40-man roster and have him make the Opening Day roster if injuries occur in camp, or they could trade him. They could also release him outright, or they could stash him in the minor leagues as depth and bring him back to the 40-man roster if needed at some point in 2026.

Everybody wants their players to stay healthy through the World Baseball Classic, but what is the motivation for Toronto in placing these conditions on his participation? Is Toronto going to seriously give him a shot at the Opening Day roster? Are the Jays looking to trade him and want to keep him healthy for that reason?

And why couldn't Rodriguez start if Cuba wants him to? Is it because he will have worked as a reliever in camp and the Jays don't want him pitching to an elevated pitch count? Do they not want him to show off his starting ability so that they dissuade teams from wanting to acquire him and heighten their chances of stashing him?

It all remains to be seen how this will play out, but we'll start to get some indicators when the team reports to spring training in 2.5 weeks.

Rodriguez is the third confirmed Jays player for the WBC, joining Alejandro Kirk and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Kazuma Okamoto is expected to play for Japan as well.

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