Grayson Rodriguez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) is throwing a bullpen session on Friday before the team's contest against the division-rival Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Rodriguez is beginning to ramp up his throwing program after being shut down in early March in spring training due to right-elbow inflammation. Rodriguez will need a full build-up and basically has to repeat spring training, so fantasy managers should expect him to miss at least the first month of the regular season. A lat strain in August of last year put a damper on what had been a breakout season up to that point as well. Before his lat injury in 2024, the 25-year-old had gone 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA, 1.24 WHIP and 130:36 K:BB in 20 starts over 116 2/3 innings. Rodriguez should be stashed in all fantasy formats.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) said that he will throw a bullpen session later this week. "Basically, spring training starts over. I've had something I've been dealing with for the last 3-4 years. It kind of flared up on me," Rodriguez said. The 25-year-old also confirmed that imaging on his right elbow showed no ligament damage, and he said he had "tendonitis in the tricep." It's good news that Rodriguez continues to make progress with his throwing program as he begins to build back up, but he still has a ways to go before eventually facing live hitters and then going on a minor-league rehab assignment. Even if he's able to avoid any setbacks with his elbow, it's likely that he will miss at least the first month of the season. Rodriguez's injury has allowed Cade Povich to open as the team's No. 5 starter. Rodriguez should be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) played catch from 75 feet on Tuesday as he started a throwing progression. Rodriguez was shut down in spring training due to right-elbow inflammation and will not be ready for the start of the 2025 regular season, but it's good to see that the 25-year-old is throwing the ball around at the tail end of camp. Still, the Orioles are going to slow-play one of their best starting arms early in the season, which means he might not be ready to make his season debut until late April or even early May, depending on how he progresses. Based on how well Rodriguez pitched in 2024, he's still worth stashing in all fantasy formats, but prepared for the possibility that he misses the first month. The former 11th overall pick in 2018 was also shut down last August with a lat strain.