Orioles place Rodriguez on injured list and reinstate Means

The Orioles reinstated John Means from the 15-day injured list this afternoon. How they made room for him wasn’t among the speculated moves.

Grayson Rodriguez was placed on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation, retroactive to yesterday.

Rodriguez rebounded Monday from a rough start by shutting out the Yankees over 5 2/3 innings. He threw 101 pitches to tie his career high and navigated through some clutter with five hits and three walks.

He didn’t exhibit any signs of injury and was much sharper than his outing in Anaheim, when he allowed seven runs and 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

For the season, Rodriguez is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA and 1.412 WHIP in six starts and has struck out 37 batters in 34 innings.

If kept on normal rest, Rodriguez would have started again Saturday against the Reds in Cincinnati. However, the rotation is undergoing more changes with Kyle Bradish’s reinstatement later this week.

Bradish could start Thursday’s series finale against the Yankees at Camden Yards. Cole Irvin would be working on regular rest.

Means made his final rehab appearance Sunday with Triple-A Norfolk and tossed seven scoreless innings with one hit allowed and eight strikeouts. He wouldn't start again before Friday.

Means was excluded from the American League Division Series roster because of soreness in his left forearm and was held back from beginning his offseason pitching program until he had no shot at breaking camp with the team. He's been healthy but behind the other starters.

The Orioles could put Means in the bullpen for now since he’s on the roster, but he threw 95 pitches Sunday. He isn't going to be rushed back into action.

Means’ assignment ended today and he had to be reinstated. The rules don’t allow for him to be kept idle.

Teams never have too much pitching and today provides another example. The math showed seven starters for five spots with Means and Bradish returning. Rodriguez’s injury unexpectedly has created an opening.

Corbin Burnes starts tonight against the Yankees. The starter Thursday and the probables for the Reds series could be identified later today.

Burnes is 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA and 0.934 WHIP in six starts. He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his outings.

Burnes’ only career start against the Yankees was Sept. 10, 2023, and he threw eight no-hit innings in the Bronx. Burnes was removed after 109 pitches and the Brewers lost 4-3 in 13 innings.