Rich Dubroff

Orioles trade Grayson Rodriguez to Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward

Sep 24, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels left fielder Taylor Ward (3) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the third inning against the Kansas City Royals at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

In a move that no one saw coming, the Orioles traded pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward.

Rodriguez, the Orioles’ first-round draft pick in 2018, hasn’t pitched since July 31^st, 2024. He had surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow in August.

The 26-year-old Rodriguez finishes his Orioles career with a 20-8 record and a 4.11 ERA in 43 starts in 2023 and 2024.

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Ward, a 31-year-old, fills the Orioles’ need for a right-handed power hitting outfielder. In 157 games, Ward hit .228 with 36 home runs and 103 RBIs and a .792 OPS. He struck out 175 times and walked 75. Ward’s OPS against left-handed pitching was .918.

He has one year before he’s eligible for free agency, and MLBTradeRumors.com estimates his 2026 salary as $13.7 million.

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

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Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.