{"id":228369,"date":"2025-08-06T04:16:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-06T04:16:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/228369\/"},"modified":"2025-08-06T04:16:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-06T04:16:09","slug":"starters-nagging-injury-complicates-orioles-comeback-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/228369\/","title":{"rendered":"Starter’s Nagging Injury Complicates Orioles’ Comeback Plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Another blow to the Baltimore Orioles\u2019 roster occurred Monday evening, as the team announced that young right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez<\/a> will undergo debridement surgery. The surgery follows the pitcher\u2019s confidence<\/a> that he would appear in 2025 despite an injury-plagued season. Rodriguez suffered right elbow inflammation and tricep soreness in spring training, then injured his right lat in April.<\/p>\n

\"GraysonOct 8, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (30) is pulled from the game against the Texas Rangers during the second inning during game two of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

Losing Rodriguez for the year follows a continuing trend of injuries for the Orioles. At the same time, learning that one of their prized rotation pieces complicates their chances of a comeback in the American League East. The team now turns to their depleted bullpen and spotty rotation to attempt a push for a Wild Card spot.<\/p>\n

How Grayson Rodriguez\u2019s Injury Makes an Orioles Comeback Improbable<\/p>\n

Grayson Rodriguez has been officially ruled out for the remainder of 2025 pic.twitter.com\/Lej72O75u2<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Talkin\u2019 Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) August 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

The Orioles\u2019 pitching staff<\/a> is already one of the weakest in the league, holding the fourth-worst ERA and WHIP. They\u2019ve also surrendered the second-most home runs and have the third-worst opposing batting average in the league. While they haven\u2019t issued the most walks, their lack of strikeouts also poses an issue if their fielding isn\u2019t up to par.<\/p>\n

Rodriguez\u2019s elbow surgery leaves the rotation without a clear second ace. Luckily, the team can rely on left-handed pitcher Trevor Rogers<\/a> every fifth game, who holds a 1.44 ERA over 56 1\/3 innings pitched. While his strikeout rate remains under nine per nine innings, he\u2019s only surrendered two home runs and 29 hits along with 13 walks.<\/p>\n

Trevor Rogers\u2019 starts this year:<\/p>\n

6.1 innings, 0 runs
2.1 innings, 3 runs
8 innings, 0 runs
5.1 innings, 2 runs
6.2 innings, 0 runs
6.2 innings, 1 run
6 innings, 2 runs
7 innings, 0 runs
8 innings, 1 run<\/p>\n

1.44 ERA \/\/ 0.75 WHIP \/\/ .149 BAA<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) August 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Outside of Rogers, the team\u2019s rotation has not performed to expectations. Offseason acquisition Tomoyuki Sugano<\/a>, who started the year off on a decent trajectory, had an awful summer, holding an ERA around six with a 1.70 WHIP. While his strikeout rate hasn\u2019t improved, his walk rate is slowly increasing behind it, leading to more opportunities for opposing batters.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere in the rotation, Cade Povich<\/a> has not adapted well to the major league level. He currently holds a 5.25 ERA with 12 home runs over 70 1\/3 innings pitched. Zach Eflin<\/a>, whom they received last year, is performing even worse, throwing a 5.93 ERA and surrendering 18 home runs in 71 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n

The Orioles\u2019 Injury Bug<\/p>\n

Rodriguez\u2019s injury is the latest in a series of players who have gone down this year, either from a new injury or rehabbing. Kyle Bradish<\/a>, who went down in 2024<\/a> with Tommy John surgery, hasn\u2019t made a single start this year. The 2023 Cy Young candidate is close to returning, but he\u2019s probably not going to be great right out of the gate.<\/p>\n

The Orioles have had a dozen separate pitchers placed on the injured reserve at some point this season.<\/p>\n

This broadcast is talking about the Braves injuries in their rotation as unique only to them\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2026as if the Orioles don\u2019t have an entire rotation worth of pitchers on the IL:<\/p>\n

Kyle Bradish
Grayson Rodriguez
Tyler Wells
Zach Eflin
Cade Povich pic.twitter.com\/8zFlR0aTNb<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Avi Miller (@AviMiIIer) July 6, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tyler Wells<\/a>, who also had a strong 2023 season, suffered the same UCL surgery in 2024. The aforementioned Eflin had lower back issues, and closer F\u00e9lix Bautista<\/a> is having right shoulder issues. Two of their best starters remain rehabbing and may not perform well when they get back.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Main Photo Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n

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