With the MLB trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Baltimore Orioles confirmed a reality that most Orioles fans figured was coming for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Rodriguez has been sidelined since the end of spring training with an elbow injury, and a recent setback seemed to put his 2025 season in question, and the team provided confirmation of that fear Monday.
The Orioles announced that Rodriguez is undergoing debridement surgery on his right elbow and will miss the rest of the season. As has been the trend with Mike Elias' tenure as the general manager of the Orioles, there are more questions than answers stemming from this decision.
As Rodriguez was trying to work his way back this season, it always seemed like the outcome was going to be surgery. Instead, the Orioles' front office kept delaying the inevitable with a false sense that Rodriguez could return to the mound in 2025. A 2025 season that became a lost cause after the Orioles stumbled out of the gate.
The Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez decision sure looks like a massive failure
With the stated goal of the Orioles being to return to contention in 2026, Monday's news should have happened much sooner. Expecting Rodriguez to be ready for the start of the 2026 season would seem to be too optimistic. Nonetheless, Elias tried to explain the decision on Monday while speaking to reporters.
“At the time, that was the opinion of all medical parties, including outside opinions: To treat the injury conservatively before we go diving into an elbow surgery,” Elias said. “He’s had a tough year.”
It hasn't been the strongest of week for Elias' desire to contend in 2026. As expected, the Orioles had a fire sale at the deadline, but they didn't really add pieces who can be expected to be contributors to a contending team next season. Now add that Rodriguez likely won't be ready for the start of the season, and it's not a great outlook for 2026.