Just In: Yankees were in ‘bidding’ for hard-throwing pitcher, but he joins division rival….

Cuban pitcher Yariel Rodríguez and the Toronto Blue Jays are in agreement on a contract, according to MLB reporter Francys Romero.

Romero reported last month that the Yankees were “in the bidding” for the right-hander. Toronto was also linked to Rodríguez, but now pending a physical and the reported hurdles with his immigration, the 26-year-old will be a Blue Jay.

Rodríguez, who previously played with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball, was granted free agency in October. He tried to seek an MLB contract in March 2023, but the Dragons declared their contract with him was still valid, so he spent the year training in the Dominican Republic instead.

The last season Rodríguez pitched was in 2022 with the Dragons, and he posted a 1.15 ERA with 60 strikeouts over 54 2/3 relief innings pitched.

Rodríguez pitched professionally in Cuba from 2015 to 2020 before he transitioned to Japan.