Grayson Rodriguez, the Baltimore Orioles’ No. 2 starter, will not be pitching for the rest of the year due to a setback in his recovery from right lat discomfort. Despite hopes of his return before the playoffs, manager Brandon Hyde announced that Rodriguez is being shut down and will miss the postseason. The decision was made with Rodriguez’s health and future in mind, as rushing his return was deemed unfavorable.

Rodriguez performed well this season with a 13-4 record and a 3.86 ERA over 20 starts in his second year in the majors. His absence will be felt by the Orioles as they head into the playoffs, with Hyde expressing disappointment at losing such a key player. Although the team has faced multiple injuries, including to pitchers like Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells who are recovering from Tommy John surgery, they still managed to secure a playoff spot for the second consecutive year.

As the Orioles gear up for the postseason, pitchers like Corbin Burnes, Zach Eflin, Dean Kremer, and Albert Suárez remain as viable options for the rotation. Despite the challenges faced by the team, they are determined to make the most of their playoff appearance and are currently in a good position to host a Wild Card Series at Camden Yards next week. The Orioles sit five games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East standings with five games left in the regular season.

While Rodriguez’s injury adds to the Orioles’ pitching woes, the team is focused on making the best of the situation and utilizing their remaining talent to compete in the postseason. The Orioles will continue to push forward with determination and resilience as they aim to make a deep playoff run despite the challenges they have faced throughout the season.