It has been simply over a month because the Orioles positioned Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured checklist as a consequence of a proper lat/teres pressure, and pitching coach Drew French supplied reporters (together with MLB.com’s Jake Rill) with an replace on Rodriguez’s restoration course of. Rodriguez threw his first bullpen session earlier this week, and French mentioned “we’re hopeful that we’ll get a stay [batting practice session] in and a rehab task began fairly quickly.“
This would appear to place Rodriguez on tempo for the late-September return that was projected by GM Mike Elias final month, although French left some wiggle room in stating whether or not or not Rodriguez would return as a beginning pitcher. “We’re very hopeful to have him again in that capability,” French mentioned, however “clearly all the things is on the desk at this level, so [we] simply form of take it day-by-day and see the place we’re at on the finish.”
The calendar is of course the problem, because the minor league season concludes on September 22. The Orioles don’t wish to rush Rodriguez’s throwing development for concern of aggravating his damage or inflicting a setback, but as French put it, “we all know we’re developing towards it proper now” when it comes to having sufficient time for Rodriguez to construct up his pitch rely by minor league rehab begins. On paper, Rodriguez might maybe financial institution a minor league begin after which proceed his ramp-up within the majors, maybe as a piggyback starter at first.
Since this could all have to come back amidst the Orioles’ battle for the AL East title, it wouldn’t be a great scenario for both the crew or the participant. Whereas Baltimore is a digital lock to achieve the playoffs, profitable the division and incomes a first-round bye is the Orioles’ most well-liked methodology of entry. That bit of additional break would permit the O’s to line up their very best postseason rotation, and gauge whether or not or not Rodriguez is absolutely match sufficient to be a part of mentioned rotation.
Rodriguez’s spot as a playoff starter was all however assured on the time of his damage, because the second-year right-hander has a 3.86 ERA and above-average strikeout and stroll charges over 116 2/3 innings. Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin have playoff rotation spots booked, and any of Rodriguez, Albert Suarez, or Dean Kremer could possibly be line for different begins relying on well being, effectiveness, matchups, or nevertheless lengthy Baltimore’s playoff run lasts.
One other pitcher’s timeline is a bit of clearer, as Danny Coulombe is ready to begin a rehab task this Wednesday with Triple-A Norfolk. Coulombe went on the 60-day injured checklist in June after present process surgical procedure to take away bone chips from his left elbow, and seems to be on tempo to return to the Orioles’ reduction corps earlier than the season is over. Coulombe has been nothing wanting excellent since becoming a member of the O’s in March 2023, changing into a trusted setup man on the energy of a 2.68 ERA in his 77 1/3 innings in a Baltimore uniform.
Seranthony Dominguez has emerged because the Orioles’ prime closing candidate since he was acquired from the Phillies on the commerce deadline, serving to stabilize a Baltimore bullpen that has been a relative weak hyperlink when it comes to its general middle-of-the-pack efficiency. Dropping Coulombe for an enormous chunk of the yr didn’t assist the bullpen’s trigger, however his return ought to assist additional bolster the reliever depth chart heading into October.
In different Orioles information, chairman and CEO David Rubenstein shared some particulars on the renovations deliberate for Camden Yards as a part of an interview with FOX 5’s Steve Chenevey (hat tip to Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Solar). The method is tentatively slated to start in the course of the 2025-26 offseason and “take about 4 years earlier than it’s accomplished….hopefully by the tip of ’28 we’ll full all of the retrofit of the stadium,” Rubenstein mentioned. The precise vary of renovations isn’t but identified, although Rubenstein steered that the work will add a number of extra trendy touches and facilities to Camden Yards.
