Acquired in a commerce with the Baltimore Orioles, new Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez believes there’s a massive cause why he is able to put his harm historical past behind him in Anaheim.
Simply three days after turning 26 years previous, Rodriguez is now a member of the Angels after a one-for-one trade that despatched outfielder Taylor Ward to Baltimore. He’s additionally hoping {that a} new location means an finish to accidents which have restricted him to 43 begins over the previous three seasons. That features zero begins and innings in 2025 due to an elbow concern in spring coaching, adopted by a proper lateral pressure in April. Extra elbow issues popped up for Rodriguez in July earlier than he underwent debridement surgical procedure on his elbow in August, formally ending his season.
That surgical procedure, nevertheless, is, Rodriguez believes, the important thing to his return to the mound in 2026 in addition to his capacity to remain on it.
Angels’ Grayson Rodriguez stated bone spurs have been a problem for a very long time
In a Zoom assembly with Angels reporters on Wednesday, Rodriguez said the bone spurs that have been eliminated had been an issue for years.
“That was one thing that is type of lingered with me for about three or 4 years now,” Rodriguez stated. “I’ve had them for some time and type of simply bought to the purpose the place I could not actually pitch by means of it. Fairly certain that is type of what was the reason for a number of the lat accidents.”
If that is the case, it might unlock a pitcher who has logged a 4.11 ERA in 238.2 innings over these 43 begins. He has additionally registered 9.8 strikeouts per 9 innings whereas issuing simply 2.9 walks.
Getting these sorts of numbers could be a giant increase for an Angels rotation that completed twenty eighth out of MLB’s 30 groups final season in ERA at 4.91. It might additionally symbolize a missed alternative for an Orioles team that has stated it is looking for another front-line starter.
Rodriguez stated on Wednesday he could be prepared for spring coaching, giving hope to the Angels that they’ve discovered a pitcher who generally is a long-term reply for them on the mound. Rodriguez shouldn’t be scheduled to be a free agent till the 2030 season.
If Rodriguez can keep wholesome and produce in Anaheim, it could be a intestine punch for an Orioles staff that’s seeking to get again into the postseason dialog in 2026. Nonetheless, time will inform if these bone spurs are really the reply to Rodriguez staying wholesome and on the sphere.
