Grayson Rodriguez, a Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect, has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right lat strain, according to Zachary Silver of the Baltimore Sun. Rodriguez is expected to remain out until September or so late in the season, so the Orioles will instead concentrate on the next campaign.
The 22-year-old Triple-A pitcher, was sidelined earlier this week when he sustained the injury. For the season, he had an ERA of 2.09 with a K/BB of 5.71. Rodriguez’s return to the field will be determined by further testing.
His inclusion on the team’s roster for the 2022-23 season is not certain. To further manipulate his service time, the Orioles might take advantage of his injuries as they did with catcher Adley Rutschman earlier in the year.
Rodriguez could return on Opening Day next year
Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias wouldn’t rule out anything, but he acknowledged that the team may decide to keep him off the mound until spring training in 2023, with the goal of having him pitch on Opening Day in ’23.
“I mean, the timing of this really stinks, is all I can say. He was basically at the point of checking every box you could think of in terms of his Minor League work. I think that he’s shown that if he’s healthy and himself, we want him to be in a position to help this team next year out of Spring Training.”
Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias told MLB.com
