Indios de Mayagüez sign Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodríguez
The right-hander will make his Puerto Rico winter league debut for the 2026-27 season of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente, while the Criollos de Caguas signed left-hander Zach Veen.
PhotoThe short version
- NotiCel and El Vocero reported that the Indios de Mayagüez signed 29-year-old Cuban right-hander Yariel Rodríguez for the 2026-27 season
- Blue Jays Insider and Blue Jays Nation reported that Rodríguez remains under contract with the Toronto Blue Jays after a difficult 2026 season affected by a back injury and other physical issues
- Blue Jays Nation reported that in 2026 he had a 7.71 ERA in 10 MLB games and a 2.87 ERA in 13 Triple-A games before his season ended in June
- NotiCel reported that the Criollos de Caguas signed 25-year-old left-hander Zach Veen as their sixth import after a 6-1 season in independent ball
Updates
Update, Oct 14, 12:09 PM AST
New reports add that Rodríguez remains under contract with the Blue Jays, detail his poor 2026 performance and injuries, and state the winter league stint is to regain rhythm for 2027.
Blue Jays Insider reported that Yariel Rodríguez signed with the Indios de Mayagüez while still under contract with the Toronto Blue Jays. Blue Jays Insider reported that the 29-year-old right-hander dealt with a back injury and other physical issues in 2026, finishing with a -0.2 fWAR after being designated for assignment in June. The winter assignment aims to help him regain pitching rhythm ahead of 2027 with Toronto.
Blue Jays Nation reported that Rodríguez was outrighted off the 40-man roster in December 2025, cleared waivers and remained under contract. Blue Jays Nation reported that in 2026 he posted a 7.71 ERA in 10 MLB games before a DFA on June 8 and a 2.87 ERA in 13 Triple-A games before an injury ended his season on June 24. The outlet cited a tweet by Francys Romero confirming the Mayagüez signing and the goal of preparing for 2027.
The new reporting does not contradict the earlier accounts from NotiCel and El Vocero on the signing itself but adds significant context about his ongoing Blue Jays contract and 2026 struggles.
New arms for Mayagüez and Caguas
The Indios de Mayagüez announced the signing of Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodríguez, who will join the western team for the 2026-27 season of the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente. NotiCel reported that the 29-year-old right-hander will have his first experience in Puerto Rico winter ball. He debuted in Major League Baseball in 2024 with the Toronto Blue Jays organization, where he continues his career.
Rodríguez features an effective slider and splitter that complement his fastball. He has represented Cuba in two World Baseball Classics, recording five appearances with 20 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. The addition strengthens the Indios' pitching staff as they prepare to defend the colors of the Sultana del Oeste. El Vocero reported that general manager Alex Cintrón described it as a major signing obtained after weeks of negotiations.
What the sources posted
Posts and statements below are the sources' own words, quoted as published. They are not independently verified.
Estamos anunciando una gran firma que tendrá un impacto importante en nuestro bullpen y en la liga.
Our translation: We are announcing a great signing that will have an important impact on our bullpen and in the league.
The source's own statement, as quoted by El Vocero. Not verified by PuertoRico.com.
Caguas adds independent league performer
Meanwhile, the Criollos de Caguas announced the signing of left-handed pitcher Zach Veen as their sixth imported player for the 2026-27 season. NotiCel reported that the 25-year-old comes off a strong season with the Kane County Cougars in the independent American Association, where he went 6-1 with 44.1 innings pitched, 47 strikeouts and one home run allowed.
Veen was selected by the Minnesota Twins in the 18th round of the 2022 MLB draft after playing at Point Loma Nazarene University. He pitched in the Twins organization in 2022 and 2023, mainly with Fort Myers in Class A. Criollos general manager Kelvin Colón told NotiCel he saw Veen pitch in person and was impressed with his mechanics and three-quarter arm slot.
Where the sources differ
NotiCel and El Vocero agree on all core facts about Yariel Rodríguez joining the Indios de Mayagüez, including his age, first winter-ball experience, MLB debut year, Toronto affiliation, pitch repertoire and WBC record. El Vocero adds a direct quote from Indios GM Alex Cintrón about the signing's impact and ongoing negotiations, plus an announcement of the team's Fan Fest on Oct. 24. NotiCel also covers the separate signing of Zach Veen by the Criollos de Caguas, including his statistics, background and a quote from Kelvin Colón; El Vocero does not mention Veen or the Criollos. Blue Jays Insider and Blue Jays Nation add that Rodríguez is still under contract with the Blue Jays after being outrighted, detail his 2026 injuries and poor MLB numbers (7.71 ERA), and state the winter league is to prepare for 2027; these outlets do not mention the Criollos signing or quotes from Puerto Rican team executives.
What the reports do not say
The reports do not state how many games Rodríguez or Veen are expected to pitch, their exact roles as starter or reliever, contract terms or salary with Mayagüez or Caguas, whether they will be available for the season opener, or any detailed injury history beyond a back issue. They also do not specify the full list of the Criollos' other five imported players or the exact nature of Rodríguez's other 2026 physical issues.
Sources
Every link below was opened and checked when this story was published and last updated. Official means a government body, agency or the organization itself; Reporting means a news outlet.
- Reporting Indios firman al lanzador cubano Yariel Rodríguez
- Reporting Yariel Rodríguez se une a las filas de los Indios de Mayagüez para la temporada 2026-27
- Reporting Yariel Rodríguez signs in Puerto Rico despite under contract with the Blue Jays
- Reporting Blue Jays’ Yariel Rodríguez set for take part in Puerto Rico Winter League
How we checked this
NotiCel and El Vocero first reported the signings of Rodríguez and Veen. Blue Jays Insider and Blue Jays Nation added details on Rodríguez's Blue Jays contract status, 2026 performance and injury context. The purpose of the winter stint as preparation for 2027 rests solely on the two new Blue Jays-focused outlets.
Compiled by the PuertoRico.com News Desk from the reports and statements listed above, and checked against them before publishing. It does not include original interviews. Spot an error? Email support@puertorico.com with a link to this story.