Orioles pregame notes on Rodriguez, Wells, Hays, rotation and more

WASHINGTON – Grayson Rodriguez has advanced his throwing program to today’s bullpen session at Nationals Park.

Rodriguez, on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation, was playing catch before the Orioles cleared him to throw off a mound. He totaled about 15 pitches and spun a few rather than going strictly with his fastball.

“It was good. Everything felt good,” he said.

“Very encouraging. Obviously anytime you go on the IL, not good. But to be feeling good like I am, I guess pretty positive.”

The Orioles haven’t laid out the rest of the plan, but Rodriguez is getting back on the mound. He’ll face live hitters soon and a decision will be made whether he needs a brief rehab assignment.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the club will check on Rodriguez Thursday to see how his shoulder responded and arrange for him to play catch again.

“And then playing it from there,” Hyde said. “He just threw. It went well and we’ll see how he feels tomorrow.”

A rehab assignment would hinge on how long Rodriguez is on the shelf.

“If it’s just a 15-day-ish type of IL stint, then maybe not,” Hyde said. “If he goes longer, then probably have to.”

Perhaps the time off will make Rodriguez stronger later in the season. That’s the positive spin.

“I think so,” Rodriguez said. “Obviously you don’t want to miss any starts, but if it helps you in the long run. It’s a long season. I want to be healthy for September and in October. I think that’s the goal and that’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Tyler Wells is rehabbing his right elbow down in Sarasota. And that’s the extent of any updates.

Wells went on the 15-day injured list retroactive to April 13 with inflammation in the elbow.

“He’s resting, he’s rehabbing in Sarasota,” Hyde said. “Right now, it’s just letting the inflammation go down.”

Asked if there are any concerns with the diagnosis, Hyde said, “We’re just giving him rest right now.”

Austin Hays has homered twice, doubled and singled in two rehab games with Double-A Bowie, but Hyde wasn’t sure whether the left fielder could be reinstated this weekend.

“We’re just reevaluating him every day,” Hyde said.

The Orioles are keeping their rotation in turn with Cole Irvin, John Means and Dean Kremer for the weekend home series against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona is starting right-handers Brandon Pfaadt, Ryne Nelson and Zac Gallen.

The two-game series against the Nationals is sandwiched between off-days on Monday and Thursday, bringing the season total to seven. The Orioles also are idle May 30 but have only one off-day in June.

“I don’t think it makes any sense to have an off-day after a two-game series with an off-day before. I don’t understand,” Hyde said.

“We have a stretch in June which is ridiculous. I don’t understand the reasoning behind it or why they would schedule an off-day, two days and then an off-day. It doesn’t make any sense.”

For the Nationals

Jacob Young CF
CJ Abrams SS
Luis García Jr. 2B
Nick Senzel DH
Jesse Winker LF
Joey Meneses 1B
Keibert Ruiz C
Eddie Rosario RF
Trey Lipscomb 3B

Mitchell Parker LHP