Rodriguez shut down for at least a week with elbow inflammation

SARASOTA, Fla. – Grayson Rodriguez received a cortisone injection in his right elbow to combat the inflammation that’s caused the Orioles to shut him down.

Rodriguez hasn’t pitched since Wednesday in Fort Myers, when he exhibited another noticeable decline in velocity and spoke afterward about feeling “sluggish.” The club initially said that Rodriguez was experiencing discomfort in his right triceps, but later pinpointed the back of the elbow.

The plan calls for Rodriguez to wait seven-to-10 days before starting a throwing progression.

Manager Brandon Hyde referred to the shot as “successful.”

“Timeline after a week, I’m not really sure at this point,” Hyde said. “We’ll see how it goes. But we’re gonna give him a week to not throw and let the cortisone do what it does.”

The Orioles will take this development as good news considering the number of injuries and surgeries that have wrecked the rotation since the beginning of 2024.

“Yeah,” Hyde said. “We’re hoping that he responds well to it and he’s able to start throwing again here in a week to two weeks.”

Hyde described Rodriguez’s spirits as “good," though another physical setback hits hard. Rodriguez went on the injured list twice last season with shoulder inflammation and a lat/teres strain. His major league debut was spiked in 2022 due to a lat/teres strain with Triple-A Norfolk.

“He’s in the training room right now,” Hyde said. “I think all good. Disappointed obviously. His goal was to make 30-plus starts this year and that’s gonna be challenging at this point. He wants to pitch, so for him to have this time off, it’s …

“We need him to get healthy. That’s the bottom line. He’s really important to us, and hopefully he comes back as soon as possible.”

Hyde said earlier that the discomfort isn’t related to a ligament in the elbow.

Asked this morning, Hyde said, “It’s right elbow inflammation."

Four starters are set for the rotation – Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano, who starts this afternoon. Albert Suárez and Cade Povich are vying for the last spot.

The Orioles could consummate a trade, sign a free agent or make a waiver claim. Everything is on the table. But a starter might have to build up innings in Triple-A before being ready to pitch in the majors.

Here’s the Twins lineup vs. the Orioles in Sarasota:

Matt Wallner RF
Ryan Jeffers C
Jose Miranda 3B
Trevor Larnach LF
Edouard Julien 1B
Mickey Gasper 2B
Brooks Lee SS
DaShawn Keirsey CF
Mike Ford DH

Simeon Woods Richardson RHP

Here’s the Phillies lineup vs. the Orioles in Clearwater:

Kyle Schwarber LF
Trea Turner SS
Bryce Harper 1B
J.T. Realmuto C
Max Kepler DH
Nick Castellanos RF
Edmundo Sosa 2B
Otto Kemp 3B
Óscar Mercado CF

Ranger Suárez LHP

Cedric Mullins and Ryan Mountcastle packed their bags and headed out together for the drive to Clearwater. Most of the starters stayed back.

“I try to spread it around,” Hyde said.

“You’re supposed to have a certain amount of regulars. People kind of stretch that at times if you haven’t noticed. But I try to make it fair for everybody.

“I don’t think those guys have traveled yet besides Bradenton. Or if guys live in Tampa, sometimes I try to help them out that way. But I’m very conscious of not having these guys have the gray pants on very much.”