Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodríguez and the Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a 5-year, $32 million contract | National sports

TORONTO (AP) – Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodriguez and the Toronto Blue Jays finalized a five-year, $32 million contract on Friday.

A 26-year-old right-hander, Rodriguez was 6-2 with a 1.15 ERA in 56 relief appearances in 2022 with the Chunichi Dragons of the Japan Central League. He struck out 60 and walked 18 in 54 2/3 innings.

He had a 2.45 ERA in 7 1/3 innings for Japan in last year's World Baseball Classic, then finished the season pending a move to Major League Baseball as a free agent.

Rodriguez was 10-10 with a 3.03 ERA and six saves in three seasons with the Dragons.

“Yariel brings a diverse arsenal, impressive athleticism and swing-and-miss ability to our team,” Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said in a statement. “He adds starting depth to our pitching staff and has the ability to impact our major league team in multiple roles.

Utility man Otto Lopez was appointed to open the list.

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