Orioles supervisor Brandon Hyde supplied media members with updates on numerous injured gamers Friday. Most notably, right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will begin the season on the injured record as a result of discomfort in his elbow/triceps space. Nonetheless, Hyde emphasised that there was no concern in regards to the righty’s ligament. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner was amongst those that relayed the data. Moreover, righty Andrew Kittredge could have arthroscopic knee surgical procedure and miss a number of months, per Kostka.
Rodriguez had diminished velocity in his most up-to-date begin and later informed reporters that he felt “sluggish” and “flat” throughout the outing. Hyde finally revealed that Rodriguez was battling some soreness in his triceps. The membership appears to be engaged on firming up the prognosis however has sufficient data to find out that Rodriguez gained’t be prepared by Opening Day. “It’s not a ligament concern, so we’re not involved about that,” Hyde stated, per Kostka. “But it surely’s going to lead to some missed time. … Proper now, we’re nonetheless getting opinions.”
Time will inform in regards to the long-term image, however the O’s should make a rotation pivot within the quick time period. With out Rodriguez, 4 rotation spots might be taken by Zach Eflin, Charlie Morton, Tomoyuki Sugano and Dean Kremer. Hyde stated Friday that the ultimate rotation spot would doubtless come all the way down to Albert Suárez or Cade Povich, per Kostka.
Suárez, 35, spent the 2019 to 2023 seasons pitching in Asia. He returned to affiliated ball with the O’s final yr and had good ends in a swing position. He made 24 begins and eight reduction appearances, tossing 133 2/3 innings with a 3.70 earned run common. He solely struck out 19.1% of batters confronted however restricted walks to a 7.6% clip. He’s projected to be in a protracted reduction position to start out the yr. If he jumps into the rotation, maybe Roansy Contreras will take over because the lengthy man because the O’s are stretching him out.
Povich, 25 in April, was a prime 100 prospect going into 2024 however didn’t excel in his first style of the majors. He made 16 begins final yr with a 5.20 ERA, 19.6% strikeout charge and 9.6% stroll charge. However his minor league numbers have been higher, as he logged 77 2/3 Triple-A innings final yr with a 3.48 ERA, 28.2% strikeout charge and eight.5% stroll charge. He nonetheless has choices and may very well be within the Triple-A rotation if not within the majors.
Ideally, a type of arms will cowl the rotation spot for just a few turns whereas Rodriguez will get wholesome. Although if it’s finally decided that he’s going through an extended absence, maybe the membership will search for exterior assist. The free agent market nonetheless options Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Spencer Turnbull and others. Pitchers reminiscent of Jordan Montgomery and Taijuan Walker are doubtless out there on the commerce block.
As for Kittredge, it’s an unlucky blow because the O’s made a notable funding in him lower than two months in the past. In mid-January, Baltimore signed Kittredge to a one-year, $10M deal, hoping to have him take up a key position within the membership’s bullpen. However he just lately skilled some soreness in his left knee and was despatched for some testing, which revealed the necessity for this operation.
This isn’t the primary time an harm has intervened within the righty’s profession. Kittredge had a 1.88 ERA in 71 2/3 innings for the Rays in 2021 however then Tommy John surgical procedure worn out most of his subsequent two seasons. He stayed wholesome final yr after being traded to the Cardinals and tossed 70 2/3 innings with a 2.80 ERA, 23.3% strikeout charge, 7% stroll charge and 45.2% floor ball charge. That spurred the O’s to present him an eight-figure deal nevertheless it now seems it’s going to take a number of months for them to obtain any type of return on that funding.
With out Kittredge, the O’s nonetheless have many robust reduction choices, together with Félix Bautista, Yennier Cano, Keegan Akin, Seranthony Domínguez and Gregory Soto. If the Kittredge harm sends them in search of exterior choices, guys like David Robertson, Phil Maton and Joe Kelly are unsigned.
As for shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who’s coping with an intercostal pressure, Hyde stated he’s nonetheless getting remedy. Per Jake Rill of MLB.com, Hyde stated Jackson Holliday might be getting some shortstop reps and probably Jordan Westburg as properly, with the O’s trying to construct contingency plans for the occasion Henderson misses time. Wealthy Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball provides that Liván Soto and Luis Vázquez are additionally prospects.
Each Holliday and Westburg performed plenty of shortstop within the minors and ought to be comparatively high-quality in transferring over there to cowl for a bit, although they might create holes elsewhere. Holliday tasks because the common second baseman and Westburg the third baseman. Coby Mayo or Ramón Urías may maybe cowl third if Westburg is at quick, although it appears like Hyde may need a slight desire for Holliday, which might create a gap on the keystone. Urías has plenty of second base expertise, however roughly 1 / 4 of the time he’s spent at third.
As for Soto and Vázquez, neither is on the 40-man roster at current. They each have loads of minor league expertise at second, third and quick however they’ve performed simply 46 main league video games between the 2 of them.
