Injuries & Moves: Hays homers again; G-Rod throws off mound
LATEST NEWS
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Austin Hays (left calf strain)
Expected return: Mid-May
Hays began a rehab assignment on May 7, when he went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored for Double-A Bowie vs. Akron. The 28-year-old outfielder hit a two-run homer in his first at-bat, his first game action since April 20, when he exited a contest at Kansas City due to tightness in his left calf. Hays played five innings in left field for the Baysox in his first rehab appearance.
On May 8, Hays played for Bowie again and hit another homer. He started at designated hitter and went 2-for-4 with a double and an eighth-inning solo shot.
When Hays rejoins the Orioles, he'll look to get going after a tough start to the season. Through 19 games, the 2023 All-Star was hitting .111 (5-for-45) with a .311 OPS. (Last updated: May 8)
RHP Grayson Rodriguez (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Potentially May
Rodriguez threw a 15-pitch bullpen session at Nationals Park on May 8, his first time throwing off a mound since going on the 15-day injured list on May 1 (retroactive to April 30). The 24-year-old right-hander, who had been playing catch in the days before, mixed in all of his pitches during his side session.
"Everything felt good," Rodriguez said. "Very encouraging. Obviously, any time you go on the IL, not good. But to be feeling good, like I am, it's pretty positive."
Rodriguez, who had a 3.71 ERA through six starts, is optimistic he could be ready to return when his 15-day IL stint is up. He said he doesn't think he'll need any Minor League rehab starts, although he conceded "that's not for me to decide," but rather the team. Manager Brandon Hyde is unsure at this point, saying it will depend on Rodriguez's progress. (Last updated: May 8)
RHP Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
As of May 8, Wells was in Sarasota, Fla., as the 29-year-old right-hander moved his rehab to the Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium complex. He was initially continuing to rest his injured right elbow, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Wells played catch and underwent testing earlier this month.
Wells didn't bounce back from his April 6 start at Pittsburgh the way he had hoped and said he felt discomfort during his April 12 outing vs. Milwaukee. He was placed on the IL on April 16 for "precautionary reasons," per Hyde, who was optimistic at the time that Wells wouldn't miss an extended period of time. (Last updated: May 8)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Félix Bautista (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery last October, underwent right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition on Feb. 9 in Dallas. Dr. Keith Meister performed both the Tommy John surgery and the additional procedures.
The secondary procedures (both common after Tommy John surgery) cleaned up scar tissue in Bautista’s right elbow and moved the nerve to free it up from compression. His reconstructed right UCL continues to heal well, and his recovery timeline won’t be affected. The Orioles still expect the All-Star closer -- who was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 14 -- to begin throwing in April and to return for the start of the 2025 season.
Bautista was with the Orioles for Opening Day on March 28, but he left on March 30 for Sarasota, Fla., to continue his rehab at the team's complex. (Last updated: March 30)