What's next after Rodriguez is scratched from start with lat discomfort?

Grayson Rodriguez is likely going on the injured list again and the Orioles should be dizzy from heads spinning at the number of health issues striking this team.

Rodriguez was scratched from tonight’s start in Toronto after warming, and an explanation came halfway through the game. He’s experiencing right lat/teres discomfort.

If it sounds familiar, Rodriguez had the same discomfort in June 2022 at Triple-A Norfolk, right when he was on the verge of a major league promotion. He didn’t pitch again until September, exactly three months later.

It’s too soon to assume another three-month absence. A diagnosis is pending. But it isn’t too soon to wonder what is going on with the Orioles and how much more they can endure.

Rodriguez missed 2 ½ weeks with right shoulder inflammation earlier this season. Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells underwent elbow surgeries that keep them out for the rest of 2024 and a big chunk of 2025.

Reliever Danny Coulombe also is on the 60-day injured list after having bone chips removed from his left elbow. He could return in September. Jorge Mateo joins the group on the 60-day injured list with a left elbow subluxation that might require surgery.

Jordan Westburg’s return might not happen before late September after he fractured his hand on a hit-by-pitch.

Corbin Burnes, Rodriguez and Zach Eflin are a nice 1-2-3 postseason punch. To remove Rodriguez would be a big-time blow.

The alternatives if Rodriguez is forced onto the IL include rookie Cade Povich and veteran Cole Irvin down in Norfolk. Povich started Sunday in Charlotte and allowed two runs and three hits in seven innings, but he’s posted a 6.27 ERA and 1.688 WHIP in eight major league starts. Irvin cleared waivers over the weekend and accepted his outright assignment to Norfolk. His experience could give him the edge if it’s a two-man competition.

Chayce McDermott, who made his debut on July 24 in Miami and allowed three runs and five hits in four innings, just went on the minor league injured list with a right scapula stress reaction. That’s the shoulder, and that’s also bad news.

Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann returned from the Triple-A injured list after missing about seven weeks and made six starts. He's gone five innings in each of his last three.

The Orioles simply could reinsert Albert Suárez in the rotation after the deadline moves sent him back to the bullpen. He was the emergency starter tonight and shut out the Blue Jays on two hits over five innings, before Gregory Soto was charged with four runs and let an inherited runner cross the plate in one-third of an inning to destroy a 1-0 lead in the sixth inning.

That's a whole other issue.

Suárez proved again that he’s most valuable in that bulk relief role, but the Orioles might not be able to afford the luxury. He could start again and Irvin could be the long man in the ‘pen. That’s another possible scenario. Keegan Akin could return after the Orioles optioned him Thursday.

None of this could minimize the loss of Rodriguez. The Orioles will keep fingers crossed and hope they don’t sustain any cramping.