Orioles Set to Activate Former First Round Pick

After spending two weeks on the injured list, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will return to the Orioles starting rotation this weekend.

Grayson Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day injured list as a “precaution,” according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Rodriguez threw 5 ⅔ innings against the Yankees on April 29th and woke up with shoulder soreness the next day. The 24-year-old right-hander missed time for a right shoulder strain while with Triple-A Norfolk in 2022.

Grayson Rodriguez, now in his second big league season, has pitched to a 4-1 record and a 3.71 ERA. He said earlier this month that his shoulder felt “much better” and hoped to return to the Orioles rotation soon. Baltimore placed the right-hander on the injured list to “let everything calm down” and prevent the soreness from developing into anything more serious.

However, he stopped throwing for a few days before returning to the mound and throwing bullpen sessions. General manager Mike Elias said Wednesday that Rodriguez was “moving in the right direction” after his 30-pitch bullpen session on Sunday. Hyde said Friday that Rodriguez would not need a rehab assignment and would be activated off the injured list “soon.”