Orioles injury update: Grayson, Coulombe, Mountcastle, Westburg and more

The Baltimore Orioles are loaded with talented players that are currently dealing with injuries. There’s no doubt that the injuries have taken their toll as the Birds have posted losing records in July and August, going a combined 25-28 in that time. The dog days of summer are now in the rear view mirror and the O’s have gotten off to a strong start in September and should have some reinforcements on the way.

Grayson Rodriguez has started down the path to recovery from a lat/teres injury. MASN's Roch Kubatko reports that GrayRod threw 20 pitches in a bullpen session earlier this week, mixing in his off-speed stuff, and said he felt good. No further reports have since come out about Rodriguez having pain since throwing and no news is good news. He needs to be built back up since he hasn’t pitched since July, but with Norfolk’s season nearing an end he may not have much chance to work in a game situation. There’s no timetable for GrayRod’s return but he’s trending in the right direction and should be back for the playoffs.

The bullpen is also expected to get a big lift from the returns of Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe. Webb is probably closest to returning and has already made two minor league rehab appearances. He was great in his first outing with Norfolk getting three outs on nine pitches. Webb struggled in his second outing in Bowie (going down a level presumably just to get the work in with few games remaining) surrendering four runs in just a third of an inning but throwing 21 pitches without any pain. He should be back in Baltimore any day now, though he may need one more rehab appearance.

Coulombe threw on Wednesday for the first time since his elbow surgery in June. He said he felt good afterward and hopes to be able to return in the regular season, but like Rodriguez is running out of time for a rehab assignment. Adding Webb and Coulombe to the back end of an Orioles bullpen that has struggled to get outs could make a world of difference.

Orioles injury update: Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe throwing, Heston Kjerstad's impending rehab assignment, Grayson Rodriguez and Jordan Westburg in limbo

The pitching staff isn’t the only part of the team expecting a bump. Several key infielders headlined by all-star third baseman Jordan Westburg are expected to return this month. Westy has been doing everything he can to stay in game shape after going on the IL with a broken right hand in August. He’s taken ground balls with his right hand behind his back for several weeks but has recently been able to remove the cast and start throwing again. Swinging the bat will be the biggest test to see when Westburg returns though it should be this month.

Another Oriole looking to start swinging again is Ryan Mountcastle. Mounty went on the IL about two weeks ago with a left wrist injury and he has not been able to swing a bat since. The injury was not thought to be season ending but sprains have a way of lingering and there’s no timetable set for Mountcastle. His rehab has been slow but Mounty has begun hitting off a tee.

Rounding out the injured infielders, Ramon Urias is expected to start doing baseball activities soon. He sprained his ankle stepping in third while covering the base on a stolen base attempt on August 31. Urias was arguably the hottest hitter on the team at the time of his injury. Ramon has made “huge strides” in his rehab and should be expected back before the regular season ends. Emmanuel Rivera has had some big moments with filling in for both Urias and Mountcastle, but the Orioles are still hoping to return their regulars as the pennant race heats up.

Zach Eflin didn't miss a beat in his first outing after coming back from a short stint on the IL and Dean Kremer was able to avoid the IL after taking a 103mph line drive off of his pitching arm taking a no-hitter into the seventh in his return. Heston Kjerstad is expected to begin a rehab assignment next week as he tries to come back from his concussion symptoms.

One person that should not be expected back, despite recent rumors, is Felix Bautista. We’ve all seen the videos of him throwing and the return of the best closer in baseball is tempting, but rushing him back could increase the risk of another injury. The O’s should not be willing to risk the losing the big man to an injury that could keep him out for some or all of next season.