Grayson Rodriguez's health remains one of the top questions for the Orioles

While the Baltimore Orioles came into the 2025 season with a ton of hype, it quickly died down. They were not able to get things rolling to start the season, and the club decided to part ways with manager Brandon Hyde. 

They finished the season in last place in the AL East, and the fan base would like to put this past season to bed and look to the future. However, the team has some holes to fill.

The O's also need to see better seasons from some of their younger players like Adley Rustchman, Gunnar Henderson, and Colton Cowser. All three took a step back, especially when looking at the offensive side of things, but that is not their biggest worry going into the 2026 season. 

Grayson Rodriguez's health remains one of the top questions for the Orioles

The Orioles selected Grayson Rodriguez with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. He was considered one of the best arms in the entire draft, but his time in the big leagues has been a rollercoaster. 

While in the minors in 2022, he missed three months while dealing with a Grade 2 right lat strain, but it did not stop there. In 2024, he was on the IL for right shoulder inflammation and then ended his season in  August due to a right lat/teres strain. 

This past season, he started the season on the IL with right elbow inflammation and, while experiencing a setback, ended his season in August after he underwent debridement surgery.

Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller proposes that his health is the biggest question going into the new season. 

"If he's back at the start of the 2026 season and looking anything like his old self, that's a game-changer. Conversely, if it becomes clear at any point that he's destined for another lost season, that might be the final straw that pushes Baltimore to start answering phone calls with trade packages for Adley Rutschman."

Miller believes that if Rodriguez loses time due to injury in 2026, it may be time for the team to consider trading Adley Rustchman. However, with the season he just had, there is no telling what the team could get in return.

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