The Baltimore Orioles have placed right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured list due to a mild strain in his right shoulder. This decision follows his recent scratch from a scheduled start against the Toronto Blue Jays and subsequent return to Baltimore for further evaluation. While the 24-year-old will be shut down from throwing for at least 10 days, Orioles general manager Mike Elias remains optimistic about Rodriguez’s potential return before the end of the regular season.
Rodriguez, who boasts a 13-4 record and a 3.86 ERA, is currently tied for the most wins in the majors this season. Orioles manager Brandon Hyde expressed cautious optimism, noting that Rodriguez is already beginning to feel better, which he sees as a positive sign.
This injury adds to Baltimore’s ongoing rotation challenges, as the team is already missing key pitchers Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells for the remainder of the season. To bolster their pitching depth, the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers at the trade deadline.
Rodriguez, a former first-round pick in the 2018 draft, has shown promise since his rookie season last year, where he posted a 7-4 record with a 4.35 ERA in 23 starts. Despite this setback, the Orioles are hopeful he will contribute down the stretch.
In related injury updates, Elias mentioned that reliever Jacob Webb, who is dealing with right elbow inflammation, has no structural issues and is expected to have a short stay on the injured list. Additionally, infielder Jordan Westburg (broken right hand) and reliever Danny Coulombe (left elbow) are both anticipated to return in September.
Closer Felix Bautista, who underwent Tommy John surgery, is progressing in his recovery and will begin throwing off a mound next week, though he won’t be back until the 2025 season.
