It began and ended with a strikeout, however the in-between pitches included some turbulence for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez on Tuesday in Double-A Bowie. But the outcomes have been much less necessary than the very fact he’s right here, wholesome on the mound and a part of a five-day rotation once more.
After ending two innings at 40 pitches, Rodriguez stated he’s on schedule to make his third begin on Sunday for the Baysox since getting back from a Grade 2 proper lat muscle pressure that saved him off knowledgeable mound for 3 months.It’s all a part of a path towards the Orioles, the vacation spot Rodriguez nonetheless has circled regardless of his midseason setback attributable to damage.
“Pitching in the big leagues is something I’ve always wanted to do,” Rodriguez stated. “That’s the main goal right now. That’s the focus: just to get myself ready. We’re close. I think this next outing is when we’re really going to get in there and turn it on. How my body’s moving, it’s feeling a lot better than last week, so I expect the same jump forward for next start.”
Rodriguez cruised by the primary inning for the Baysox in opposition to the Richmond Flying Squirrels on 11 pitches, topping out at 98 mph along with his fastball to strike out two. But regardless of opening with one other punchout within the second, Rodriguez gave up a double to left — Casey Schmitt later scored on a wild pitch.
Rodriguez additionally walked two batters, simply as he did at High-A Aberdeen final week. Once the second ended along with his 45-pitch restrict solely 5 choices away, Rodriguez threw within the bullpen to complete his day. Last week, making a rehab begin for the IronBirds, Rodriguez threw 31 pitches. He doesn’t but know what his pitch rely will probably be Sunday, however he expects to proceed progressing.
“This is the best my arm’s ever felt, honestly since I was in high school,” Rodriguez stated. “The long break, getting in there and being able to do rehab, my arm is stronger than it was before. So really, that’s the positive I’m taking away from it.”
Rodriguez was on the verge of a serious league debut earlier than he left his begin in Triple-A Norfolk prematurely on June 1. Rodriguez thought it was a cramp. In reality, he suffered a pressure that shut him down for a lot of the following two months.
The 22-year-old prospect held a 2.09 ERA throughout 56 innings for the Tides earlier than his damage. Rodriguez, who’s the top-ranked pitching prospect in baseball in response to Baseball America, had 80 strikeouts in comparison with 14 walks in these appearances.
In his first rehab begin in Aberdeen, Rodriguez combined his repertoire nicely, even with two walks included in his 1 1/3 innings. On Tuesday, Rodriguez did the identical, along with his slider and changeup particularly efficient. The Nacogdoches, Texas, native threw six straight balls within the second inning earlier than he rebounded with an inning-ending strikeout.
“The ball felt good,” Rodriguez stated. “The hop was good out of hand. Spin direction was good. Obviously, there was a few up and out of the zone, but heaters in general, I felt like I could get it by guys when I went up with it.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com