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Blue Jays remove Yariel Rodriguez early after team throws record-breaking 70 pitches in second inning
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    Blue Jays remove Yariel Rodriguez early after team throws record-breaking 70 pitches in second inning

    Concerns about the Toronto Blue Jays‘ fifth spot in the rotation might still be present despite the return of Yariel Rodriguez.

    The rookie pitcher struggled in his first outing back from the injured list, lasting only 1.1 innings and giving up four runs against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday.

    Rodriguez, 27, was placed on the 15-day IL in late April with thoracic spine inflammation after making four starts in the majors.

    He has spent the last month rehabbing with triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons, making six appearances with the side. In his eight total appearances in triple-A this season, he has a 1.33 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 20.1 innings pitched.

    That success didn’t translate on Friday, as he struggled with his control in the second inning and rode up his pitch count before giving up runs and eventually getting the hook.

    His final line for the night was five runs, four of them earned, while giving up two hits, three walks and only striking out one. He faced nine batters and threw 52 pitches, 32 of them for strikes.

    After getting through the first inning with ease — going three-up, three-down — Rodriguez couldn’t find the strikezone in the second as he walked three batters following a lead-off double to Josh Naylor.

    He was pulled after giving up a line drive single to Austin Hedges that scored two, giving the Guardians an early 3-0 lead. Bowden Francis replaced him and gave up a fielder’s choice RBI to Steven Kwan to give Rodriguez his fourth earned run of the night.

    The second inning as a whole was a rough look for the Jays as they finally ended it down 7-0, in no part thanks to the defence as they committed two errors in the frame.

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    The Toronto Blue Jays made a surprising move during their recent game against the New York Yankees when they decided to remove pitcher Yariel Rodriguez early in the game. This decision came after the Blue Jays’ pitching staff threw a record-breaking 70 pitches in the second inning alone.

    The second inning of the game was a rough one for the Blue Jays, as the Yankees’ hitters were able to capitalize on some early mistakes and put up a big inning. The Blue Jays’ pitchers struggled to find their rhythm and were unable to get outs efficiently, leading to a high pitch count early in the game.

    After the second inning, it was clear that Rodriguez was not performing at his best and was struggling to find the strike zone. The coaching staff made the tough decision to remove him from the game in order to prevent further damage and give the team a chance to come back.

    This move was a bold one by the Blue Jays, as it is rare for a starting pitcher to be removed from a game so early. However, in this case, it was necessary in order to give the team the best chance to win.

    Despite the early exit for Rodriguez, the Blue Jays were able to rally and make a comeback in the later innings, ultimately winning the game. This decision to remove Rodriguez early may have been controversial, but it ultimately paid off for the team.

    Moving forward, the Blue Jays will need to address their pitching struggles and work on finding more consistency on the mound. While it was a tough game for Rodriguez and the rest of the pitching staff, this experience will serve as a learning opportunity for the team as they continue their season.

    Overall, the decision to remove Yariel Rodriguez early in the game was a bold move by the Blue Jays, but one that ultimately helped them secure a much-needed win. It will be interesting to see how the team bounces back from this game and continues to improve throughout the season.