It has been simply over a month because the Orioles positioned Grayson Rodriguez on the 15-day injured checklist as a result of a proper lat/teres pressure, and pitching coach Drew French offered 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 stated “we’re hopeful that we’ll get a reside [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 stated, however “clearly every little thing is on the desk at this level, so [we] simply type of take it day-by-day and see the place we’re at on the finish.”
The calendar is of course the difficulty, because the minor league season concludes on September 22. The Orioles don’t wish to rush Rodriguez’s throwing development for worry 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 means of minor league rehab begins. On paper, Rodriguez may 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 might all have to come back amidst the Orioles’ battle for the AL East title, it wouldn’t be a really perfect scenario for both the crew or the participant. Whereas Baltimore is a digital lock to achieve the playoffs, successful 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 perfect postseason rotation, and gauge whether or not or not Rodriguez is totally match sufficient to be a part of stated 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 may very well be line for different begins relying on well being, effectiveness, matchups, or nonetheless lengthy Baltimore’s playoff run lasts.
One other pitcher’s timeline is somewhat clearer, as Danny Coulombe is about to start out 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’ aid corps earlier than the season is over. Coulombe has been nothing in need of excellent since becoming a member of the O’s in March 2023, turning into a trusted setup man on the power 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 total middle-of-the-pack efficiency. Shedding Coulombe for a giant 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 through the 2025-26 offseason and “take about 4 years earlier than it’s accomplished….hopefully by the top of ’28 we’ll full all of the retrofit of the stadium,” Rubenstein stated. The precise vary of renovations isn’t but recognized, although Rubenstein advised that the work will add just a few extra fashionable touches and facilities to Camden Yards.
