Orioles manager Brandon Hyde provided injury updates on several players today, with the most notable being right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, who will begin the season on the injured list due to elbow/triceps discomfort. However, Hyde emphasized that there is no concern about ligament damage. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported the news. Additionally, right-hander Andrew Kittredge will undergo arthroscopic knee surgery and is expected to miss several months, per Kostka.
Rodriguez experienced decreased velocity in his last outing and later told reporters he felt “sluggish” and “flat.” Hyde later confirmed that Rodriguez was dealing with triceps soreness. While the team is still gathering medical opinions, they have determined he won’t be ready for Opening Day. “It’s not a ligament issue, so we’re not concerned about that,” Hyde said, per Kostka. “But it’s going to result in some missed time. … Right now, we’re still getting opinions.”
With Rodriguez sidelined, Baltimore will need to adjust its rotation. Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano, and Dean Kremer are locked into four spots, while the final spot will likely go to either Albert Suárez or Cade Povich, according to Kostka.
Suárez, 35, played in Asia from 2019 to 2023 before returning to affiliated baseball with the Orioles last season. In a swingman role, he posted a 3.70 ERA over 133 2/3 innings, making 24 starts and eight relief appearances. Though his 19.1% strikeout rate was modest, he limited walks to 7.6%. Initially projected for long relief, he could shift into the rotation, potentially opening a bullpen spot for Roansy Contreras, who has been stretched out as a starter.
Povich, who turns 25 in April, was a top-100 prospect entering 2024 but struggled in his MLB debut, posting a 5.20 ERA over 16 starts with a 19.6% strikeout rate and 9.6% walk rate. However, he performed much better in Triple-A, recording a 3.48 ERA, 28.2% strikeout rate, and 8.5% walk rate over 77 2/3 innings. If he doesn’t win the rotation spot, he could start the year in Triple-A.
The Orioles hope one of these options can fill in while Rodriguez recovers, but if his absence is extended, they may explore external additions. Free agents like Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, and Spencer Turnbull remain available, while pitchers such as Jordan Montgomery and Taijuan Walker could be trade candidates.
Kittredge’s injury is another setback, especially given Baltimore’s investment in him. The team signed him to a one-year, $10 million contract in mid-January, expecting him to be a key bullpen piece. However, after experiencing knee soreness and undergoing tests, surgery became necessary.
Injuries have impacted Kittredge’s career before—he posted a 1.88 ERA over 71 2/3 innings with the Rays in 2021 but missed most of the next two seasons due to Tommy John surgery. He returned to form in 2023 with the Cardinals, delivering a 2.80 ERA over 70 2/3 innings with a 23.3% strikeout rate and 7% walk rate, leading Baltimore to sign him. Now, the team will have to wait months for a return on that investment.
Even without Kittredge, the Orioles have a strong bullpen, featuring Félix Bautista, Yennier Cano, Keegan Akin, Seranthony Domínguez, and Gregory Soto. If they seek external reinforcements, available free agents include David Robertson, Phil Maton, and Joe Kelly.
Regarding shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who is dealing with an intercostal strain, Hyde said he is still undergoing treatment. According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Jackson Holliday and possibly Jordan Westburg will get reps at shortstop as the team prepares contingency plans in case Henderson is unavailable. Rich Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball added that Liván Soto and Luis Vázquez are also in consideration.
Holliday and Westburg have extensive minor league experience at shortstop and should be capable of filling in, though it would create positional gaps. Holliday is expected to be the regular second baseman, while Westburg is slated for third base. If Westburg shifts to shortstop, Coby Mayo or Ramón Urías could cover third. Hyde appears to lean toward Holliday at short, which would leave second base open—Urías has significant experience there but has primarily played third recently.
As for Soto and Vázquez, neither is currently on the 40-man roster. Both have versatility across the infield but limited MLB experience, combining for just 46 big-league games.