16 July 2023
Grayson Rodriguez is back.
The Orioles’ top pitching prospect will be recalled from Triple-A to start Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday. The corresponding move will be announced at a later time.
Hyde said he was “very pleased” with the progress Rodriguez made in the minors after he was demoted in late May. The 23-year-old right-hander struggled with a 7.35 ERA in his first 10 big league starts, but he returned to dominant form with Triple-A Norfolk.
In seven starts with the Tides since his demotion, Rodriguez posted a 1.69 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 37 1/3 innings — similarly impressive numbers to the ones he put up throughout his minor league career.
His marching orders when he was sent down were to improve the command on his mid-to-high 90s mph fastball. Hyde said he’s achieved that.
“The reports have been awesome with how the command has improved,” Hyde said before Sunday’s game versus the Miami Marlins. “The stuff has always been there, it’s just all about command with him. He’s throwing the ball extremely well with command down in Triple-A, and we’re excited for him to start tomorrow.”
Whether he sticks in the Orioles’ rotation for the remainder of the season remains to be seen, but Hyde made clear what the club’s hope is for their young fireballer.
“Hopefully he sticks in the rotation the rest of the summer,” Hyde said.
Left-hander Cole Irvin, who has pitched well since replacing Rodriguez in the rotation in early June, is now in the Orioles’ bullpen as a long reliever.
This story will be updated.
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