Baltimore right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will be sidelined from pitching for at least 10 days due to a mild strain in his right shoulder. Despite this, Orioles general manager Mike Elias is hopeful that Rodriguez will be back before the end of the regular season.
The Orioles placed the 24-year-old on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, a day after he was scratched from a start in Toronto and returned to Baltimore for tests.
Elias mentioned before Saturday night’s game at Tampa Bay, “We’re optimistic the strain is relatively mild. We’re also hopeful that we will be able to get him back and running before the end of the regular season.”
Rodriguez (13-4, 3.86 ERA) is tied for the most wins in the majors this season.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde noted, “He’s starting to feel better, so it’s a good sign.”
The Orioles’ rotation is also missing Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells for the season. To strengthen their starting pitching, the Orioles acquired Zach Eflin and Trevor Rogers at the trade deadline.
Rodriguez, who was Baltimore’s first-round pick in the 2018 draft, had a rookie season last year with a 7-4 record and a 4.35 ERA in 23 starts.
In other injury updates, Elias said Jacob Webb (right elbow inflammation) has no structural issues, and he hopes Webb’s time on the injured list will be brief. Infielder Jordan Westburg (broken right hand) and reliever Danny Coulombe (left elbow) are also expected to return in September.
Closer Felix Bautista (Tommy John surgery) will start throwing off a mound next week but will not return until next season.
