Grayson Rodriguez is the latest prominent Oriole to be felled by injury, potentially creating a huge hole in the O’s rotation.
Good morning, Camden Chatters.
Wasn’t it just a week or two ago that we were discussing the lack of drama at Orioles spring training? How the O’s had avoided any injuries over the offseason and the season-opening roster was all but locked into place?
Oh, how young and naïve we were back then.
In just the last few days, potential disaster has struck the Birds in camp. First came word that the Orioles’ superstar shortstop Gunnar Henderson suffered an intercostal strain that could put his Opening Day status in jeopardy. And yesterday brought even more troubling news, as Grayson Rodriguez has been sidelined with triceps soreness that may or may not be a prelude to a serious elbow injury.
Rodriguez’s velocity had noticeably dropped in his most recent exhibition start, and now we know why. We just don’t yet know the severity of the injury. It’s possible it’ll turn out to be a minor issue and he’ll be back on the mound before the Grapefruit League schedule wraps up. But if the worst fears are realized and Rodriguez has to miss significant time, it’ll be a huge blow for an O’s starting staff that already lost ace Corbin Burnes in free agency. The Orioles were hoping Rodriguez would step up to help fill that void. Now he might be creating a void of his own, further weakening a questionable rotation.
Also on the injury front, righty Andrew Kittredge — the only reliever the O’s signed this offseason — remains out of commission with knee soreness and might be on the shelf when the season begins. Kittredge was expected to log key innings in a setup role and help offset the losses of Jacob Webb and Danny Coulombe, two of the Orioles’ more effective relievers last year whom the club cut loose this winter.
This is why we can’t have nice things, people.
So if the trio of Henderson, Rodriguez, and Kittredge end up not being ready for the start of the season, the Orioles’ offense, rotation, and bullpen will all be worse off, to varying degrees. It’s not a great feeling. The Orioles’ depth will be tested early, and Mike Elias might be forced to make a last-minute signing or a trade for potential replacements.
Not all the injury news yesterday was terrible, at least. Jordan Westburg, who hadn’t played since Feb. 22 with back spasms (caused by a too-soft mattress, apparently), finally returned to the lineup last night. He went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts as he tries to shake off the rust. The Orioles took a 9-5 loss to the Pirates in their first night game of the spring, with Zach Eflin — the presumed frontrunner to start on Opening Day in Toronto — giving up three runs in 2.2 innings.
The Orioles will play another one under the lights tonight in Lakeland, a game that will be on the Tigers’ TV broadcast. For the sake of our sanity, let’s hope no more Orioles get hurt.
Links
Adam Jones, Joe Orsulak and Tom Davis named to Orioles Hall of Fame – The Baltimore Banner
In a long overdue honor, Adam Jones is headed to the Orioles Hall of Fame, and he’s being honored with a bobblehead of him holding a pie. Perfect. 10/10, no notes.
What will Orioles’ relief sequence be this season? | MAILBAG – BaltimoreBaseball.com
On days when Félix Bautista isn’t available, Rich Dubroff predicts the Orioles’ closer will be Seranthony Domínguez or Gregory Soto. Get ready to sweat your way through a lot of ninth innings, O’s fans.
Notes on Urías, Eflin and more from tonight’s Orioles-Pirates exhibition (O’s lose 9-5) – School of Roch
And oh, by the way: Tyler O’Neill is also injured, missing last night’s game with a sore rib cage. Make it stop!
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! Two former Orioles were born on this day: catcher Nick Ciuffo (30) and outfielder Joe Carter (65).
On this date in 2003, the Orioles reunited with B.J. Surhoff after nearly three years, signing him to a minor league contract. Surhoff had been a productive hitter and fan favorite in his first stint with the Birds from 1996-2000 before the O’s sent him to Atlanta in their trade-deadline fire sale, bringing Surhoff to tears at his farewell press conference. His second go-round with the Birds lasted three years, as Surhoff served as a useful bench player before retiring in 2005.