After spending two weeks on the injured list, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will return to the Orioles starting rotation this weekend.
Grayson Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day injured list as a “precaution,” according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Rodriguez threw 5 ⅔ innings against the Yankees on April 29th and woke up with shoulder soreness the next day. The 24-year-old right-hander missed time for a right shoulder strain while with Triple-A Norfolk in 2022.
Grayson Rodriguez, now in his second big league season, has pitched to a 4-1 record and a 3.71 ERA. He said earlier this month that his shoulder felt “much better” and hoped to return to the Orioles rotation soon. Baltimore placed the right-hander on the injured list to “let everything calm down” and prevent the soreness from developing into anything more serious.
However, he stopped throwing for a few days before returning to the mound and throwing bullpen sessions. General manager Mike Elias said Wednesday that Rodriguez was “moving in the right direction” after his 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. Hyde said Friday that Rodriguez would not need a rehab assignment and would be activated off the injured list “soon.”
The Orioles were reportedly activating the young right-hander on this weekend. The team confirms the reports by activating Grayson Rodriguez ahead of Saturday’s contest against Seattle. Reliever Mike Baumann was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
Grayson Rodriguez Returning to Orioles Rotation Saturday
With Rodriguez reinstated, left-hander Cole Irvin will return to the Orioles bullpen. Injuries to both Kyle Bradish and John Means, led to Irvin opening the season in the Orioles starting rotation. Irvin got off to a rough start to the season carrying a 6.75 ERA through his first three outings. The 30-year-old turned it around his next time out, throwing 6 ⅔ shutout innings against Kansas City. Irvin went 22 ⅓ innings over four starts before giving up his first earned run since April 15th on Friday.
The Orioles’ starting rotation has pitched to the fourth-best ERA in the majors, at 3.23. Given how well each starter is pitching right now, Baltimore could decide to use a six-man rotation with just one off-day in June.
Baltimore sits 28-14 going into Saturday’s contest and trails the Yankees by one game for the division lead.
