TEMPE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez felt soreness in his pitching arm after his start against the Guardians on Friday, and it could put his availability for the start of the season in jeopardy.
Angels manager Kurt Suzuki described it as “dead arm,” but Rodriguez did play catch on Thursday, so he hasn’t fully been shut down. But he’s been slowed in his return to the Majors, as he missed last year with the Orioles after having bone chips removed from his right elbow and hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since July 31, 2024.
“Grayson felt some soreness, so we backed him up a couple days,” Suzuki said. “He got some work done on him, and then we’ll kind of go from there and reevaluate him. But he did have some soreness throwing the other day. We want to be safe. He didn’t pitch at all last year.”
Rodriguez, acquired in an offseason trade that sent slugger Taylor Ward to the Orioles, has had an uneven spring, posting a 4.97 ERA with 12 strikeouts and 10 walks in 12 2/3 innings. He struck out five but walked four in his latest outing and noted he needed to improve his command.
Suzuki said it’s still too early to know if Rodriguez will open the season on the injured list, although it does seem like a possibility with Opening Day coming up on Thursday in Houston.
“He could come back in a few days and be like, ‘I feel great,’” Suzuki said. “And then he comes in and throws a bullpen and he's ready to rock because he's built up. He threw 85 pitches last time out.”
Suzuki, though, did say they’ll be cautious with him and give Rodriguez as much time as he needs, especially given his injury concerns in recent years, such as a lat strain in ’24 and his bone spur issues last year. The Angels also have him for four years of control and don’t want to risk his long-term health.
If Rodriguez opens on the injured list, it could open up a spot for right-handers Jack Kochanowicz or Ryan Johnson (No. 2 prospect), as they both have had excellent springs and pitched well in split-squad action on Wednesday. Kochanowicz and Johnson could also both make the rotation if Alek Manoah doesn’t make the club after his recent struggles. Right-handed prospects George Klassen (No. 5) and Walbert Urena (No. 19) are also in the mix.