In a significant blow to the Baltimore Orioles, Grayson Rodriguez will not pitch again this year due to a right lat injury, making him unavailable for the playoffs. Rodriguez, the team’s No. 2 starter, had been on the injured list since early August and despite hopes of a return before October, manager Brandon Hyde announced that he will be shut down for the rest of the season.
The 20-year-old Rodriguez has had an impressive season, going 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts. With 130 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings, he has been a key player for the Orioles this year. Despite his absence, the team has managed to clinch a playoff berth for the second consecutive year, with a guaranteed spot in the American League wild card.
The Orioles have been plagued by injuries this season, with several pitchers, including Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells, sidelined due to Tommy John surgery. All-Star closer Félix Bautista is also recovering from the same surgery and will miss the entire season.
Despite these setbacks, the Orioles still have a strong rotation with pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, and Albert Suárez. They are currently in second place in the AL East, five games behind the New York Yankees with five games left to play in the regular season.
Manager Brandon Hyde expressed disappointment at Rodriguez’s absence but remains optimistic about the team’s chances in the playoffs. The Orioles are focused on preparing for the postseason and are looking forward to hosting a best-of-three Wild Card Series at Camden Yards next week.
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