BALTIMORE, MD: Manager Brandon Hyde informed media that Grayson Rodriguez has been shut down for the remainder of the 2024 season via MLB.com's Jake Rill. Rodriguez did not experience any kind of setback, but the organization believes he will not be able to return off the injured list in time.
The Orioles rotation is severely harmed by the loss of the right-hander, especially because the postseason starts the following week. At this point, it would take a miracle for the Orioles to defeat the Yankees for the AL East title and the ensuing bye through the Wild Card Series.
If that doesn't happen, the team will have to decide whether to use journeyman Albert Suarez or right-hander Dean Kremer to complete the lineup behind Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin for the series. Should they manage to go further, they'll probably use both in the ALDS.
Hyde may use Rogers, Suarez, Kremer, and other rotation players like Cade Povich (5.59 ERA in 15 starts) in the postseason, but none of them appear to be as dependable as Rodriguez. In his second season as a member of the Orioles rotation this year, Rodriguez pitched to a 3.86 ERA with a stronger 3.66 FIP over 20 starts, striking out a solid 26.5% of opponents in 116 2/3 innings of work before being interrupted by a lat injury back in August.
With at least 100 innings worked this season, that strikeout rate ranks 23rd in the majors among starters, putting him in line with other teams' probable playoff openers like Tanner Bibee of the Guardians or Carlos Rodón of the Yankees.
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