Blue Jays Sign Cuban Pitcher

The Toronto Blue Jays have signed RHP Kenny Rodriguez to a minor league contract. He will report to Dunedin (A) of the Florida State League.

Rodriguez, born March 17, 1985 in Havana, Cuba, defected from his homeland in August 2006, while competing in Ecuador for the Cuban National B Team. Now a citizen of Peru, he has played in world tournaments in Canada (2002) and Curacao (2003). Rodriguez posted a 6-4 record with a 4.18 ERA in Cuba’s “highest-level” league, Serie Nacional. In 75 innings, he registered 72 strikeouts, while holding opponents to a .227 avg.