Orioles option Rodriguez after last night's game

The Orioles are making a change in their rotation, optioning Grayson Rodriguez to Triple-A Norfolk following last night’s 12-2 loss to the Rangers.

Left-hander Keegan Akin is rejoining the team to replace Rodriguez on the staff.

Rodriguez, who entered the season as the organization’s top pitching prospect, allowed eight earned runs and nine total last night in 3 1/3 innings. The inconsistency dragged him down again after he held the Blue Jays to two runs in five innings last weekend.

The total body of work includes a 7.35 ERA and 1.721 WHIP in 10 starts, with 56 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings. The 50 strikeouts through his first nine career starts were the most by an Orioles pitcher in franchise history.

Rodriguez didn’t break camp with the team after a poor spring training and was recalled to make an April 5 start in Texas after Kyle Bradish went on the injured list with a bruised foot. He allowed two runs or fewer in five outings, never working more than 5 2/3 innings, and a combined 31 earned in 19 2/3 innings in his other five starts.

"Just kind of the inconsistencies are a little bit frustrating,” Rodriguez said after last night’s game. “We know it's there, just got to go out and do better than that."

Akin goes back to the bullpen after registering a 5.91 ERA and 1.781 WHIP in 13 appearances with the Orioles, providing a third left-handed reliever. He allowed one run and one hit, with one walk and 13 strikeouts, in seven innings with Norfolk.

The Orioles will need to replace Rodriguez in the rotation. His next turn is Wednesday afternoon against the Guardians at Camden Yards.

Dean Kremer is 5-1 with a 4.61 ERA and 1.481 WHIP in 10 starts, and he’s on the mound today against the Rangers. He’s 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA this month in four games.

Kremer has made two career starts against Texas and allowed six runs and 13 hits in 9 1/3 innings.

Left-hander Andrew Heaney has a 4.13 ERA and 1.208 WHIP in nine starts in his first season with the Rangers. He’s held opponents to one earned run and struck out 14 batters in his last two starts covering 12 innings.

Heaney made his first 2023 start against the Orioles and allowed seven runs in 2 2/3 innings. Ryan Mountcastle and Jorge Mateo hit home runs.

Today marks Heaney’s seventh career game and sixth start against the Orioles. He’s 1-3 with a 9.51 ERA and 1.817 WHIP in 23 2/3 innings.