Rangers Trade Yerry Rodriguez to Blue Jays

By Nate Miller

(Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

June 30, 2024

The Texas Rangers have made a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, exchanging reliever Yerry Rodriguez for right-hander Josh Mollerus. This marks the first significant move for both teams in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline on July 30. This is the time of year where teams will make certain trades to fit their needs for the last three months of the regular season and beyond. The Rangers and Blue Jays are no different as both teams have an uphill battle in front of them. The Rangers currently sit in third place in the AL West at 37–46, nine game behind the division-leading Seattle Mariners, who have a record of 47–38. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, are in last place in the AL East at 38–45, 15 games behind the division-leading Baltimore Orioles, who are 53–30.

Rough Season for Yerry Rodriguez

Rodriguez was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Wednesday. He had an ERA of 6.88 in 12 games for the Rangers this season. That included five home runs allowed in 17 innings pitched. Over parts of three seasons, the right-hander struggled with walks and homers. He had a 7.11 ERA in 26 games with a 1.705 WHIP. The Blue Jays optioned Rodriguez to Triple-A Buffalo after acquiring him.

The Rangers decided to DFA Yerry Rodriguez after running into a roster jam due to players being on the 60-day IL. Max Scherzer was activated from the 60-day IL last week.

There is also the prospect of even more returns. In the next two weeks, the Rangers are hopeful of activating third baseman Josh Jung and potentially Cody Bradford. They currently are at a full 40 players on the 40-man roster. Players on the 60-day Injured List don’t count against the 40-man roster. However, they must be re-added in order to be activated.

A New Addition for the Rangers

Mollerus, 24, was the Blue Jays’ 10th-round selection in last year’s draft out of the University of San Francisco. He was 1–4 this season with a 4.03 ERA in 22 games with 43 strikeouts in 29 innings. The Rangers will send Mollerus to Hickory of the advanced Class A Carolina league.