Grayson Rodriguez. Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Grayson Rodriguez is 'excited' for a fresh start with the Angels

By Zachary Cariola | Last updated Feb 14, 2026 6:47 PM ET

Despite being a below-.500 team for the past decade, the Los Angeles Angels can still make some noise in the American League.

The Angels didn't make too many notable signings this offseason, but they did pull off a trade for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, whom they acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward in November. At the time, the trade seemed lopsided in favor of the Angels, with Rodriguez having four more years of team control, while Ward is a free agent after this season.

Rodriguez is excited to begin his journey with his new team after missing all of last season with bone spurs in his right elbow, saying he feels “a lot better” after getting them removed.

“It feels a lot better,” Rodriguez said, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com with a grin. “I'm pretty excited. Obviously, not pitching at all last year, it was terrible. But it just makes me twice as excited for this season, to go out there and try to make 30 starts.”

#Angels RHP Grayson Rodriguez has already noticed a huge difference after having bone spurs removed from his right elbow and is aiming to make 30 starts despite missing all of last season: https://t.co/QKq2XIl4ZR
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 14, 2026

Grayson Rodriguez could emerge as the Angels ace with a healthy season

Before missing 2025, Rodriguez was one of the best up-and-coming starting pitchers in the American League, going 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA (20 starts) and striking out 130 batters in 116.2 innings in 2024. Rodriguez will join a veteran staff led by left-hander Yusei Kikuchi.

Rodriguez also joins an Angels team that hired renowned pitching coach Mike Maddux after he held that role with the Texas Rangers from 2023-25 and helped them win their first World Series. Maddux has had success getting the most out of his pitchers, working with some of the game's best, like Jacob DeGrom, Yu Darvish, Stephen Strasburg and Adam Wainwright. Working with Maddux could bring out Rodriguez’s full potential and unlock his ace abilities.

Zachary Cariola

My name is Zachary Cariola and I have been a sports fan for as long as I can remember. My areas of expertise are MLB, NBA, and NFL. When I’m not writing, I love spending time with my family and learning history.

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