Yardbarker
x
Baltimore Orioles Provide Disappointing Timetable with Regards to Grayson Rodriguez Injury
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) walks to the dugout following the second inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in 2024. Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde provided a disappointing injury update on starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, saying his return to the rotation will "take a while."

Jacob Calvin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun ahd the information on social media:

Grayson Rodriguez will not need more imaging done on his elbow before being cleared to throw again, Brandon Hyde said.

His throwing progression, which should begin early next week, is a "restart." He will have to fully ramp up again.

"So it's going to take a while," Hyde sa
id.

We already knew that Rodriguez was going to start the year on the injured list after he got a cortisone shot in his elbow, but the fact that he's got to fully restart his throwing program means that he essentially needs to go through spring training all over again.

While we don't want to speculate, it seems fair that he'll miss all of April, if not into May.

The 25-year-old Rodriguez is seen as a potential front line ace, and he certainly showed his stuff in 2024. Through 20 starts, Rodriguez went 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA. He struck out 130 batters in 116.2 innings, however injury limited him and he missed the team's playoff run. Baltimore finished second in the American League East and was bounced in the wild card round of the playoffs by the Kansas City Royals.

The Orioles are counting on him this season, given that they've lost Corbin Burnes and John Means in free agency, making his early-season absence all the more noticeable.

The Orioles open up the regular season on March 27 against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.

This article first appeared on Fastball on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!