The Baltimore Orioles’ starting rotation is one of the biggest question marks heading into the 2025 MLB season. One pitcher expected to be at the front of the rotation was Grayson Rodriguez.
On March 5, Rodriguez said he felt sluggish in his last start against the Minnesota Twins. In that outing, he pitched 1.1 innings, allowing three hits and one run while walking one and striking out one. On Friday, March 7, the team announced he is dealing with an issue near the back of his shoulder.
Orioles Starting Pitcher Grayson Rodriguez To Start Season on IL
The Orioles confirmed Rodriguez will begin the 2025 season on the injured list. On March 9, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters Rodriguez has been shut down for seven to 10 days after receiving a cortisone shot in his elbow. He will begin a throwing program when that period ends.
“That’s why you have to have as much starting pitching depth as possible,” Hyde said about Rodriguez via MLB.com. “It’s unfortunate with Grayson. We’re hoping for the best. But like I’ve said a lot, we’re going to be needing more than five starters all year. We’re going to need guys to step up.”
For now, the projected starting rotation for Baltimore will be Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Dean Kramer, and Tomoyuki Sugano. Albert Suárez or Cade Povich could make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster with Rodriguez sidelined. The Orioles not re-signing Corbin Burnes is looming large for this organization.
Last season, Rodriguez made 20 starts for Baltimore, posting a 13-4 record with a 3.86 ERA. He pitched 116.2 innings, allowing 109 hits and 52 runs while walking 36 and striking out 130. His WHIP was 1.24.
It remains to be seen when the 25-year-old right-hander will return. This isn’t the first time he has dealt with injuries. Rodriguez started last season with shoulder inflammation and later missed time with a lat strain that ended his 2024 campaign.
He also missed three months in the minors during the 2022 season due to a lat strain. If he is out for an extended period this year, his injury history will continue to be a major storyline.
