BALTIMORE (AP) — Baltimore Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez will get a second opinion on his sore right shoulder after undergoing an MRI.
“We're going to get some other opinions on it,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Friday. “So there's really nothing to report at this time. We're gathering information, some second opinions from other doctors. And we'll have more to give you sometime this week, when all that stuff comes back.”
Rodriguez had a bullpen session that was slated for Thursday canceled. He has not pitched in a regular-season game since July 31 and has been rehabbing from right elbow inflammation issue, though he made spring training appearances on Feb. 27 and March 5.
A 25-year-old right-hander who was the 11th overall pick in the 2018 amateur draft, Rodriguez is 20-8 with a 4.11 ERA in 43 starts over two big league seasons.
Coming off consecutive postseason appearances, Baltimore has had numerous injuries to starting pitchers: Kyle Braddish (Tommy John surgery) and Tyler Wells (UCL repair surgery) also started the season on the injured list. Albert Suárez (right shoulder) has not pitched for the Orioles since March 28 and Zach Eflin (right lat) since April 7.
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FILE - Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez works against the Texas Rangers during a baseball game on July 20, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter, File)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — Rodriguez was scratched Thursday from the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, leaving trainer Bob Baffert with one entry in his return to Churchill Downs after serving a three-year suspension.
Tom Ryan of Starlight Racing, one of the colt's multiple owners, said on X: “Out of an abundance of caution, we have made a very tough decision to scratch our Derby horse, Rodriguez. He has a small but slightly sensitive foot bruise that will need a few more days.”
Ryan said the colt will be pointed toward the Preakness on May 17.
The decision leaves Hall of Fame jockey Mike Smith without a mount in what would have been his record-extending 29th Derby start.
Baffert will saddle Citizen Bull, last year's 2-year-old champion, in pursuit of a record-breaking seventh Derby win. The colt drew the dreaded No. 1 post and will be under pressure to break quickly before the rest of the field comes over on him.
With the defection of Rodriguez, Baeza will make the field of 20 3-year-olds. The colt has been on the grounds since last week training in the hopes he would get in. He is trained by John Shirreffs, who teamed with Smith to win the Derby in 2005 with 50-1 shot Giacomo.
Baeza was runner-up in the Santa Anita Derby last month.
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Kentucky Derby entrant Citizen Bull works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Baeza works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kentucky Derby entrant Rodriguez works out at Churchill Downs Thursday, May 1, 2025, in Louisville, Ky. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
