Rodriguez update, Hyde on Mountcastle's return, and more

NEW YORK – The influx of players from the injured list to the active roster has bypassed starter Grayson Rodriguez.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle was the last position player to be reinstated, with his return announced this afternoon. Rodriguez is the last injured pitcher with a chance to come back in 2024, but he didn’t make the trip to New York.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that Rodriguez still isn’t facing hitters. His progression has stalled at bullpen sessions.

Only six regular season games are left, which likely prohibits Rodriguez from making the Wild Card roster if the Orioles clinch it. Starting in the Division Series, if they advance, also would be challenging because of the difficulty in stretching him out.

There are no more minor league games to be played, which leaves intrasquad-type competition down in Sarasota. And the Orioles never committed to using Rodriguez out of the bullpen.

Right lat-teres discomfort has prevented Rodriguez from pitching since July 31. He’s 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA and 1.243 WHIP in 20 starts and would have given the Orioles a formidable setup in a playoff rotation with Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin ahead of him.

Mountcastle isn’t in the lineup tonight but being on the bench provides another weapon for Hyde, as well as a solid defender at first base.

“We’re excited to have Mounty back,” Hyde said. “Just adds another really good right-handed hitter for us. He’s got the ability to hit for power as well as a good hitter. Not in there to start the game tonight but expect to see him in there and play a lot over these last six.”

Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías returned Sunday and are in the lineup again tonight at second and third base, respectively. Relievers Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb are in the bullpen. The Orioles keep inching back to full strength, or at least to a much closer version of it.

“To see Westy and Urías out there a couple days ago, and both played well that day, also, they showed what they add to our team and what we missed,” Hyde said. “Westy’s missed the majority part of the second half, and just the toughness that he brings, the competitiveness in the at-bats, the defense. Just the whole package from second or third base. It’s great to have him back.

“Urías was probably swinging the bat as well as anybody before he sprained his ankle there in Denver, and picked up right where he left off a couple days ago. Nice to have all three of those guys back.”

Coulombe faced the Tigers twice after returning from June surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow, and he tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings and had four strikeouts.

“With Danny and Webb, two guys I relied on heavily the first half, a lot of success putting them in certain spots,” Hyde said. “Danny’s looked good. … Webby’s gonna be a big part of our bullpen, also.”

The Orioles optioned Eloy Jiménez this afternoon to create room for Mountcastle. He hit .296 with a .724 OPS in 23 games in August after the trade with the White Sox, but was 1-for-24 this month. He didn't play in the field.

“I don’t think the sporadic playing time helped him,” Hyde said. “That guy was used to playing every day the first four or five years of his career. He was in a little bit of a platoon role, a pinch-hit role. Something he just hadn’t done much of, and tough to get his rhythm and timing going after being hurt a lot the first half, also.

“We just felt like this was going to make our roster a little more versatile when we added all three of those guys.”