Orioles fans may not see Grayson Rodriguez in 2025 after latest update

Nothing to worry about… unless you wanted Grayson Rodriguez in 2025
Baltimore Orioles v Minnesota Twins
Baltimore Orioles v Minnesota Twins | Brace Hemmelgarn/GettyImages

It's starting to look like the entire 2025 season may be a wash for Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. After opening the season on the IL with elbow inflammation, Rodriguez was confirmed to have suffered a lat strain after an MRI was completed in April. A return for Rodriguez finally appeared to be in the works as he started throwing bullpen sessions in July; however, the latest update suggests a 2025 appearance may be in doubt.

In providing an update to reporters on Friday, Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino revealed that Rodriguez has been shut down. Mansolino inferred that the elbow inflammation that Rodriguez dealt with at the end of spring training is similar to what the former first-round pick is going through now.

The fear, whenever talking about young pitchers and elbow soreness, is that Tommy John surgery could be an option. However, Jacob Calin Meyer of the Baltimore Sun offers a silver lining to Rodriguez's latest setback.

Grayson Rodriguez’s update is the cherry on top of Orioles’ deadline drama

In many ways, the injury to Rodriguez foreshadowed all that has gone wrong with the Orioles' 2025 season. From top down, there has been regression that has settled in throughout the roster. And when regression wasn't the issue, injuries were there to halt any momentum before it started.

The update on Rodriguez comes just two weeks before the trade deadline, where there is a growing expectation that the Orioles will have a fire sale. Between moving players who are free agents after the season and potentially listening to offers on closer Félix Bautista, the Orioles' roster will likely look very different once August 1 arrives.

By then, the Orioles' front office would need to have an honest conversation about what is best for Rodriguez. It's around the deadline that Rodriguez would resume his throwing program, and once you factor in a minor-league rehab assignment, September feels like the earliest one could expect to see the 25-year-old return to the Major League level. By then, it may not be worth it, and the decision that needs to be made puts Rodriguez fully recovered in time for spring training next season.

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