Blue Jays' Rodriguez will start Saturday vs. Rockies

The Toronto Blue Jays are promoting right-hander Yariel Rodriguez from Triple-A Buffalo.

Rodriguez will make his big-league debut on Saturday as Toronto's starting pitcher against the Colorado Rockies, Schneider said after Friday's 12-4 loss, according to Sportsnet's Shi Davidi. He'll take the rotation spot of Bowden Francis, who will be available out of the bullpen.

Rodriguez arrived in Toronto on Friday afternoon but was on the taxi squad for the series opener.

Rodriguez signed a five-year, $32-million contract in the offseason after a successful stint as a reliever in Japan.

The Blue Jays decided to transition Rodriguez into a starting pitcher heading into the 2024 campaign. Rodriguez was off to a strong start in Triple-A, striking out 10 without allowing a run in 6 1/3 innings across two starts.

Toronto turned to Francis for the final spot in the rotation after a shoulder injury sidelined Alek Manoah. Francis has struggled in the early part of the season, posting a 12.96 ERA in his first two starts.

Manoah was shelled in his first outing at Single-A, permitting seven runs (six earned) while recording just five outs. The right-hander is scheduled to make another rehab start for Triple-A Buffalo in the first game of the Bisons' Saturday doubleheader.

Manoah will be followed in Saturday's minor-league game by injured relievers Jordan Romano and Erik Swanson, who will make their own rehab appearances for the Bisons, according to Davidi. Danny Jansen, who fractured his wrist in spring training, will catch in Buffalo this weekend and could be ready to come off the injured list as soon as Monday.