Mansolino remains ‘hopeful’ Rodriguez will pitch for Orioles in 2025; Vázquez thankful for opportunity

BALTIMORE—Grayson Rodriguez has yet to pitch for the Orioles this season. He’s been on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, and injuries to his shoulder and lat also have been reported.

“He never fully came back from the elbow,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Even if it is healed fully, which it might be, I’m sure it’s something that we’re conscious of as he builds himself up to being a major league pitcher.”

Rodriguez has declined to speak with the local media for more than three months. He last spoke after a Grapefruit League appearance against Minnesota on March 5^th in Fort Myers.

“Nothing new. He’s going through his throwing progressions, and then we’ll kind of go from there,” Mansolino said. “Grayson’s doing great. He’s progressing as expected. It’s not something we want to put deadlines on by any means.

“There’s not always an exact script for every individual injury. We have human beings involved, so we’re very careful … We’re very careful of not trying to set expectation through the media, but we also don’t do it privately. We’re trying not to put too much pressure on these guys.”

Mansolino remains optimistic that Rodriguez will pitch for the Orioles this season.

“I’m hopeful,” he said.

Vázquez gets his shot: Luis Vázquez joined the Orioles shortly before Tuesday night’s game against the Detroit Tigers. Vázquez’s contract was selected from Triple-A Norfolk when Jorge Mateo was placed on 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation retroactive to Saturday. Vázquez was with the Orioles for most of spring training

“I feel like I was able to make a really good impression during spring, which matters a lot. Thanks to that, I’m able to be here now,” Vázquez said through a team translator.

Vázquez was hitting .280 with five home runs and 20 RBIs in 37 games for Norfolk.

“Everyone knows that this is what I wanted,” Vázquez said. “I’ve been playing the way I want to, and being up here in the big leagues is what I wanted … I knew that my time would come. I knew that I was capable of playing multiple positions. I knew that there was a need up here now.”

Former Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty, who played for Mansolino in 2019 at Cleveland’s Triple-A Columbus and is now the Chicago Cubs’ bench coach, saw Vázquez play briefly in Chicago last season and spoke highly of him.

“Told me this might be the greatest shortstop he’s ever seen in person,” Mansolino said. “I trust Ryan and what he says. What I saw was a really good shortstop, good defender, talented really gifted, comfortable with the glove on his hand, a guy that probably hasn’t hit a ton in the minor leagues.“

Vázquez was 1-for-12 (.083) in 11 games with the Cubs last season.

Norfolk manager Tim Federowicz also spoke highly of Vázquez.

“There’s a lot to like,” Mansolino said.

Orioles announce new seating

The Orioles announced that in 2026 they’ll add a premium club box, which will seat 380, where the current press box is. The box will feature VIP parking, a private entrance and a rotating upscale menu and beverage program.

Fans who are interested  in learning more about this seating should sign up at Orioles.com/premiumclub.

The Orioles will move the Jim Henneman Press Box slightly to the left of its current location, where MASN produced its pregame and postgame programs. MASN now produces those programs in the Warehouse.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.