The Baltimore Orioles are expected to call up top-ranked pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez to make his first major league start on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
Rodriguez, 23, was expected to compete for a spot in the Orioles’ Opening Day rotation, but the right-hander struggled to a 7.04 ERA in 15 1/3 innings during spring training. He allowed 14 runs (11 earned) in his final 10 2/3 innings of spring, and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.
However, a foot injury to right-hander Kyle Bradish on Monday required Tyler Wells to pitch in relief instead of making his scheduled start Tuesday. Kyle Gibson moved up a day in the rotation to pitch Tuesday, leaving a spot open for Rodriguez for Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas, against Jacob deGrom.
Rodriguez was selected with the 11th overall pick of the 2018 MLB Draft. Across parts of five minor league seasons, he has posted a 25-9 record with a 2.49 ERA in 70 appearances (69 starts).
–Field Level Media