Rodriguez heads to Baltimore for tests after he’s scratched from start; Holliday homers in 5-2 Orioles’ loss to Blue Jays

What happened? Grayson Rodriguez was scratched as he began warming up for Tuesday night’s start against the Toronto Blue Jays because of right lat/teres discomfort.

Rodriguez was replaced by Albert Suárez, who threw five scoreless innings in the Orioles’ 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays.

The Orioles (67-47) are ½ game in back of the New York Yankees in the American League East. The Yankees were rained out and will play a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday.

“He’s going back to Baltimore. He’s going to continue to get evaluated,’ manager Brandon Hyde told reporters in Toronto about Rodriguez. “That’s kind of all we know right now.”

Hyde said there was no indication of an injury before Tuesday night.

“He had a little bit of shoulder soreness early in the year,” Hyde said. “He took time off. He threw fine. He threw a really good bullpen in Cleveland, and came out tonight as he was warming up.”

Jackson Holliday hit a home run, his third, for the Orioles’ first hit in the sixth inning. The Blue Jays (52-61) scored five runs in the sixth.

“Big swing by Jackson,” Hyde said. “We didn’t do much off [Chris] Bassitt the entire night. He kept us off-balance.”

Alejandro Kirk hit a three-run home run against Gregory Soto (2-5), who allowed four runs.

Bassitt (9-10) allowed two runs on three hits in seven-plus innings.

The Orioles scored a run in the eighth on a bases-loaded walk by Austin Slater, who hit for Holliday, but the Orioles left the bases loaded. Coby Mayo hit for Colton Cowser and struck out.

“Austin has been really good against lefties this year,” Hyde said. “He worked a huge walk. Then I took a shot with Mayo there with the bases loaded, and it didn’t work out.”

Chad Green pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save

Suárez allowed just two hits in five innings as he rushed to prepare as an emergency starter.

“I keep my mind always ready,” Suárez said. “You don’t want this to happen, but sometimes it happens. I’m always ready.”

Catcher James McCann had a nasal realignment procedure on Monday.

Soto roughed up: Soto was acquired at last week’s trade deadline from Philadelphia for minor league pitcher Seth Johnson. His early days with the Orioles haven’t gone well.

“I was missing my sliders, my breaking pitches today,” Soto said to reporters in Toronto through a translator. “I wasn’t able to command it. I paid the price for it.

“I started to realize where my misses were and how they felt. You come ready the next day with the faith that it’s going to go better and you work on those things and hope they go better.”

Soto, a two-time All-Star with Detroit, hopes to improve.

“It’s been difficult but having my team as a support has been huge,” Soto said. “They brought me here for a reason. I know that. Having their support means a lot. I know with that, I’ll get through it.”

What’s the word?  “From a human being perspective, you’d probably think it’s impossible to be affected in some sort of way, but if there’s a kid out there that probably wouldn’t be affected, it’s probably Jackson.”-Orioles offensive strategist Cody Asche on Holliday tuning out noise.

What does it mean? Rodriguez’s injury could be devastating for the Orioles. If he goes to the injured list, it will be interesting to see if rookie Cade Povich gets another shot or whether Hyde starts Suárez again on Sunday at Tampa Bay.

What’s the stat of the day? 17. Colton Cowser’s hitting streak ended at 17. Hyde batted Mayo, who’s hitless in 10 at-bats. Mayo struck out. Cowser and Trey Mancini share the team rookie consecutive games hitting streak.

What’s happening in the minor leagues? Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Chayce McDermott was scratched because of right scapula stress reaction and placed on the injured list.

Norfolk lost to Durham, 10-3, as Tucker Davidson allowed six runs, five earned, in 4 2/3 innings.

First baseman TT Bowens was promoted from Bowie to Norfolk. Bowens drove in two runs. Right-handed pitcher Carlos Tavera and infielder Noelberth Romero go from Norfolk to Double-A Bowie. Right-hander Ryan Hennen was released.

Peter Van Loon (1-1) pitched five scoreless innings, allowing three hits as Bowie beat Harrisburg, 5-3. Centerfielder Jud Fabian hit his 17^th home run and drove in three runs. Leftfielder Dylan Beavers hit his 12^th homer.

Hickory beat High-A Aberdeen, 5-3. The IronBirds’ three runs came on home runs by designated hitter Martin Prado, shortstop Carter Young and leftfielder Tavian Josenberger.

Salem beat Single-A Delmarva, 3-2, in 10 innings.

What’s next? Trevor Rogers (2-10, 4.76) will make his second start for the Orioles against Bowden Francis (4-3, 5.64) on Wednesday night at 7:07.

Call for questions: Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com