Grayson Rodriguez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow, shoulder) was scratched from his side session on Thursday because he's dealing with more soreness in his right shoulder. The Orioles are sending him for imaging. MLB.com's Jake Rill points out that this is a separate issue from the elbow inflammation/triceps injury that landed Rodriguez on the injured list to begin the 2025 season. This is ominous news for the 25-year-old, but we'll have to wait to see what the Orioles say after they get his test results back. In addition to these injuries, Rodriguez missed the final two months of the 2024 campaign due to a right-lat strain. At the very least, fantasy managers stashing Rodriguez should expect an even lengthier absence, but hopefully this doesn't evolve into a season-ending injury. When healthy, Rodriguez is a top-of-the-rotation arm.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) will throw his third bullpen session on Thursday, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill. There's still no timetable for his return, though, as there is "a lot ahead" in his recovery. The 25-year-old is progressing in his recovery from right-elbow inflammation that cropped up during spring training, but he has yet to suffer a setback. He will need to start facing live hitters next before eventually being cleared to go on a minor-league rehab assignment. Because Baltimore won't rush Rodriguez to make his 2025 debut, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to return until early May in a best-case scenario. The former first-rounder was shut down early last year due to a lat strain but was solid before that in his second MLB season, going 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.24 WHIP with 130 K's and 36 walks in 20 starts. Stash Rodriguez in all fantasy formats.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) threw his second bullpen session Camden Yards on Wednesday before the team's game against the visiting division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill. Rodriguez continues to build his arm back up after he was shut down during spring training with right-elbow inflammation. The 25-year-old hasn't had any setbacks since resuming a throwing program, but because of the fact that he's yet to face live hitters at all, it might make sense for fantasy managers to expect his 2025 debut to come in late April or early May. Rodriguez will need to eventually go on a minor-league rehab assignment, but when he's ready to return, he'll be reinserted as Baltimore's ace at the top of the rotation. Left-hander Cade Povich will likely be the odd-man out of the rotation when Rodriguez returns.

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.