The Baltimore Orioles have started the week taking the first two games of their four-game series against the New York Yankees and now they hold first place in the American League East by one game they will play the third game tonight with the Orioles sending their ace out to the mound in Corbin Burnes as he will face Luis Gil for the Yankees. The Orioles pitching staff got a boost today as it was announced that John Means was being activated off the injured list, but then it was met with a letdown as Grayson Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation.
Orioles Moves By The Numbers
RHP – John Means
Means hasn’t pitched since September 29, 2023, against the Boston Red Sox when he went 6.1 innings giving up two runs on three hits; he didn’t issue a walk and struck out four, he also suffered the loss in that game. He has only made six starts over the last two seasons going 1-2 with a 2.84 ERA, a 0.85 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts in 31.2 innings. In 2019 he was an All-Star and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting. He also threw a no-hitter on May 5, 2021, against the Seattle Mariners when he didn’t allow a hit, a run, or a walk and struck out 12, the only base runner reached on a dropped third strike and he would be caught stealing two pitches later. If he can bounce back, he can provide some depth to this Orioles rotation, it’s not determined yet when he will start but they haven’t announced a starter for tomorrow’s finale against the Yankees.
RHP – Grayson Rodriguez
Rodriguez was drafted by the Orioles with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. In 2023 he was the second-ranked prospect in the Orioles system and the seventh overall prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He made his debut on April 5, 2023, going five innings, he allowed two runs on four hits; he walked one and struck out five. He finished the 2023 season going 7-4 with a 4.35 ERA, a 3.93 FIP, a 1.33 WHIP, and 129 strikeouts in 122 innings. This season through six starts he is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA, a 3.58 FIP, a 1.41 WHIP, and 37 strikeouts in 34 innings. He made his most recent start on Monday against the Yankees going 5.2 innings, he didn’t allow a run on five hits; he walked three and struck out three, and he also got the win.
