Who is Yariel Rodriguez? Star reliever for Chunichi Dragons set to become second Cuban player to defect since WBC

Yariel Rodriguez was a key player for the Cuban team in the World Baseball Classic. While they fell to the United States in the quarterfinals, the Cuban side had an excellent run and they were bouyed by Rodriguez's lights-out status from the bullpen.

When Cuba returned home after their loss, Ivan Prieto stayed behind. The bullpen catcher became the first player to defect after the WBC. Now, Rodriguez is, too.

Shawn Spradling tweeted:

"Per Francys Romero, following the WBC, Cuban RHP Yariel Rodriguez has broken his contract with the Chunichi Dragons and the Cuban Baseball Federation. Rodriguez arrived in the Dominican Republic this morning, and hopes to sign with an MLB team in the near future."

While Prieto stayed behind after the team left, Rodriguez's defecting didn't come until much later and he fled to the Dominican Republic, one of the biggest baseball countries in the world.

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What is defecting in baseball? Cuban star Yariel Rodriguez becomes latest to do it

Defecting refers to when a Cuban player flees their country to play elsewhere illegally. It used to be the only way one could join the MLB. Players like Luis Robert and Jose Abreu had to defect to get to the major leagues.

Yariel Rodriguez defected from Cuba

Ivan Prieto defected and now, so has Rodriguez. The Cuban star has already broken contract with his old team in hopes of landing in the MLB soon.