Orioles news: Pitching staff stunted by injuries, Adam Jones enters O's Hall of Fame

March hasn't been an ideal month for Orioles fans. Coming into the year, everyone was optimistic despite the front office neglecting to sign or trade for a top of the rotation type pitcher to replace Corbin Burnes. Things are pointed in the right direction here in Birdland and we were all ready to get 2025 underway.

Now, there's a significant amount of tension among the fanbase after a bevy of injuries have taken a chunk out of the O's pitching staff. Free agent pickup Andrew Kittredge went down with a knee injury last week and shortly afterward, the O's revealed that the righty would need to undergo an arthroscopic procedure to alleviate a cartilage issue. Kittredge went under the knife over the weekend and the team described the surgery as successful, though the righty will miss at least two months while rehabbing.

Then Grayson Rodriguez revealed he was dealing with some nagging triceps soreness. Though he assured fans that things were fine, they were, in fact, not. The most recent update for Rodriguez is that he's received a cortisone injection into his throwing elbow and that he's being shut down for 7-10 days. He'll attempt to start a throwing program in a couple weeks, but the O's have already stated that Rodriguez will start the year on the IL. One of Cade Povich or Albert Suarez is likely to take his place in the Opening Day rotation.

Orioles pitching staff marred by injuries in the early part of 2025

Potentially bad news on the Félix Bautista front, as well. Brandon Hyde was evasive in talking to reporters about Bautista's status for Opening Day, stating "We haven't determined that yet". Bautista has looked strong in his return to action, though the O's have already come out and said that they won't use Bautista on back to back nights, nor will they deploy him for more than one inning at a time, at least in the first half.

If that wasn't all, the Orioles will also be without Trevor Rogers and Chayce McDermott to begin the year. Neither was expected to make the Opening Day roster but their absence is surely felt thanks to the presence of the rest of these injuries.

If Bautista were to miss Opening Day, closing duties will likely be shifted to Seranthony Dominguez in the early going. Dominguez served as the O's closer down the stretch last year. He had his moments but was overall uninspiring in the role and has been roughed up in limited time this spring. Outside of Dominguez, lefties Gregory Soto and Keegan Akin could get some run in high-leverage situations, and Yennier Cano will once again be thrust into a back-end role.

Orioles to induct 3 big names into their team Hall of Fame

In a bit more lighthearted news, former Orioles star Adam Jones has been elected to the O's Hall of Fame. He's part of a class of 3, joined by outfielder Joe Orsulak and long time broadcaster Tom Davis.

After hearing of his election, Jones told reporters "It’s pretty badass to be in a professional organization’s Hall of Fame", also stating that he was honored and humbled by the acknowledgement. Though Jones was eligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame and appeared on this year's ballot, he failed to reach 5% of the total vote and as such, will drop off the ballot next year.

During his time in Baltimore, Jones was a fan favorite. He played 11 seasons in Baltimore, was selected as an AL All Star five times, won four Gold Glove awards and a Silver Slugger, and received MVP votes in three separate years. He'll long be remembered as one of the best Orioles players of his generation.