Despite many injuries to their pitching staff and position players in 2024, the Baltimore Orioles managed to keep the AL East division competition with the New York Yankees competitive. Unfortunately, prospective starter Grayson Rodriguez was unable to assist down the stretch after sustaining a shoulder injury in July and being sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Rodriguez took the mound for the Orioles on Wednesday, making his second spring training start. According to Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko on X, the pitcher is experiencing with triceps pain in his throwing arm, which might keep him out for some time. The team will reevaluate the righty on Friday, hopefully offering more information about the severity of the setback.
The Orioles can’t afford to lose Grayson Rodriguez
According to RotoWire, Rodriguez’s velocity was down during his Grapefruit League stint against the Twins on Wednesday. The 25-year-old pitcher averaged 93.2 mph and was clocked throwing his four-seam fastball at 89.5 mph. Rodriguez immediately after the start blamed his lack of zip on feeling “sluggish,” maintaining it was not due to an injury.
However, it now appears that the pitcher may have sustained an injury. The Orioles hope it is merely soreness. But a more thorough examination will disclose what Rodriguez is dealing with.
Last season, Rodriguez sustained a right shoulder ailment that caused lat/teres discomfort. So it appears doubtful that he is battling with the same condition this spring, as the Orioles have labeled his present problem as triceps soreness.
The Orioles chose Rodriguez with the 11th overall choice in the 2018 draft. However, he did not make his MLB debut until 2023. Baltimore is counting on Rodriguez to have a huge season in 2025 after losing ace Corbin Burnes to the Diamondbacks this summer for a six-year, $210 million contract.
Rodriguez even altered his delivery and added a new pitch in an attempt to avoid injury this season. He is anticipated to follow Zach Eflin at the top of the Orioles’ rotation this season.
