Angels asking to find out what the Orioles already knew about Grayson Rodriguez

In deciding to trade Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for slugging outfielder Taylor Ward, the impression was that the Orioles saw something in Rodriguez's medicals that concerned them. If they did, they certainly didn't tell the Angels, and for Los Angeles' part, they didn't care to check whether or not the oft-injured pitcher was actually healthy.

Appearing on Foul Territory on Friday, Rodriguez was asked if he had taken a physical before the trade to the Angels was finalized, and the 26-year-old starting pitcher confirmed there was no medical check of any kind. Rodriguez revealed that he received a phone call that he was being traded to the Angels, and before he knew it, the deal was announced by both teams.

In an even more telling sign that he may not be completely healthy, Rodriguez revealed that even his dad asked about his medical status. Rodriguez underwent elbow debridement surgery in August, and during his introductory press conference with the Angels, he confirmed that he is on track to begin throwing bullpen sessions in January.

Orioles may have pulled a fast one on the Los Angeles Angels with Grayson Rodriguez's revealing detail

On the surface, outside of the Orioles needing a power-hitting bat, the trade for Ward didn't make sense, considering they were giving up multiple years of control of Rodriguez for one season of Ward. Even though Rodriguez hadn't pitched for the Orioles since July of 2024, the fact that he was traded, under normal circumstances, would suggest that he was ready to return to the mound.

Of course, normal circumstances aren't exactly what comes to mind when thinking about how the Angels run their baseball operations. The fact that the Angels didn't even complete a physical of Rodriguez speaks to the level of incompetence that has followed Los Angeles in recent years.

Perhaps this all turns out to be nothing and Rodriguez returns to being a successful pitcher at the Major League level. Though that was the same mindset that set the stage for the Orioles' disappointment in 2025.