Orioles pitcher Grayson Rodriguez is dealing with yet another injury setback, this time in his throwing shoulder. Could this latest issue derail Baltimore’s 2025 plans?

The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 season with hopes of contending in a tough AL East, banking on the continued development of their young core — and a breakout from their future ace, Grayson Rodriguez. But once again, Rodriguez finds himself on the shelf.

And once again, the Orioles are left asking when — or if — he’ll ever be able to bear the weight of a full MLB season.

Rodriguez, who began the year on the injured list with elbow soreness, was scratched from a scheduled bullpen session on Thursday, April 17, this time with a new discomfort in his throwing shoulder. The 25-year-old underwent an MRI, and the only update was that he’ll be getting other opinions. Not a great sign.

Another setback for Rodriguez raises questions about the future of the Orioles’ rotation

Rodriguez’s injury log is getting longer, and it’s beginning to outweigh his time spent on the mound. Here’s a look at the key injuries that have stalled his success:

• 2022: Right Lat Strain In Triple-A Norfolk, Rodriguez suffered a right lat strain that sidelined him for three months. It postponed what many believed was his imminent MLB debut until 2023.
• 2024: Shoulder and Lat Issues – After making the Opening Day roster, Rodriguez landed on the injured list in April due to shoulder inflammation. He returned, only to suffer a right lat strain in August — effectively ending his season.
• 2025: Elbow and triceps soreness led to a cortisone shot and a stint on the 15-day IL. Now, just as he was ramping up for a return, shoulder pain halted his progress.

Rodriguez’s stuff has never been the issue.

With a fastball that touches 98 mph paired with a strong changeup, and a career strikeout rate north of 25 percent, the raw tools scream front-line starter. But the growing concern is whether those tools will ever be consistently available.

His command still needs polish — his career walk rate sits at 7.8% — but without the repetition and routine that comes with staying healthy, that development has been stunted.

Every time he seems on the cusp of putting it all together, a new ailment pulls him back to square one.

Where does Baltimore go from here?

It’s becoming increasingly clear that if Baltimore wants to be a contender this season, they can’t afford to ignore the pitching problem any longer. As one rival scout reportedly put it, “You can’t outslug every bad start — not in October.”

The Orioles’ pitching staff has been the team’s weakness in 2025, and there’s simply no way to sugarcoat it. They currently rank near the bottom of the league in nearly every major category — second-to-last in strikeouts, sixth-most hits allowed, and opponents are hitting a blistering .276 against them.

That’s the second-highest batting average allowed in all of baseball, trailing only the Colorado Rockies — a team that plays half its games in the hitter-friendly confines of Coors Field.

If the Orioles hope to maintain their place as a serious contender in the American League, they’ll need to find solutions fast.

The Orioles currently sit at 8-11 and find themselves in the basement of the AL East, just a half-game up on the Rays.

While it’s still early, their starting rotation has been one of the team’s biggest disappointments — and with Rodriguez still sidelined, it’s hard to see that changing soon.

If Rodriguez’s MRI reveals anything significant, it may reshape Baltimore’s trade deadline plans. A team that once looked poised to be buyers could find itself forced to sit idle — or even rethink its long-term strategy.

There’s still time for Rodriguez to recover and salvage the season, but with each passing setback, one has to ask the question: How long can Baltimore afford to wait?