Cuban Pitcher Coming to MLB

The World Baseball Classic did many things for the sport, not the least of which is expose us to otherwise little-known players who could be strutting their stuff in the majors if given the chance. Breaking news today has one Cuban pitcher trying to do just that. 

Breaking: Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez (26) left his contract with the Chunichi Dragons and the Cuban Baseball Federation and will seek to sign with an MLB team in the near future.

Rodríguez arrived in the Dominican Republic a few hours ago, per sources. pic.twitter.com/HGSZ7BezSv

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) March 28, 2023

Yariel Rodríguez, who recently showed his stuff at the WBC, has left the Chunichi Dragons in Japan, and has arrived in the Dominican Republic this morning, looking to hook up with a major league club. His displayed his filthy stuff at the World Baseball Classic earlier this month.

Cuban Yariel Rodríguez left his team in Japan to get MLB deal per @francysromeroFR.

Rodríguez was great last year in Japan as reliever (1.15 ERA) & started in WBC.

High spin fastball (2587 rpms) was up to 98 & slider averaged 2932 rpms in 1st start.

pic.twitter.com/GG7ekCcSGq

— Michael Mayer (@mikemayer22) March 28, 2023

As noted by baseball insider Michael Mayer, Rodriguez posted a 1.15 ERA as a reliever in the Nippon League last season. He was hitting 98 mph as a starter for Cuba at the WBC. 

He'd been with Chunichi in Japan for the last three seasons, posting a 3.03 ERA with 9.7 strikeouts per nine innings.