Rodriguez update, Hyde on Mountcastle's return and more

NEW YORK – The influx of players from the injured list to the active roster has bypassed starter Grayson Rodriguez.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle was the last outfielder to be reinstated, with his return announced this afternoon. Rodriguez is the last injured pitcher with a chance to return in 2024, but he did not make the trip to New York.

Manager Brandon Hyde confirmed that Rodriguez is still not facing hitters, with his progress stalling in bullpen sessions.

There are only six games of the regular season left, which will likely prevent Rodriguez from being named to the Wild Card squad if the Orioles pull off the win. Even a start in the Division Series, should they advance, would be a challenge, as it's difficult to get him into the right phase.

There are no other minor league games, so intra-team competition is possible in Sarasota. And the Orioles never decided to use Rodriguez out of the bullpen.

Right hamstring discomfort has prevented Rodriguez from pitching since July 31. He is 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.243 WHIP in 20 starts and would have given the Orioles an excellent starting position in the playoff rotation with Corbin Burnes and Zach Eflin ahead of him.

Mountcastle is not in the lineup tonight but is on the bench, providing another weapon for Hyde as well as a solid defender at first base.

“We're excited to have Mounty back,” Hyde said. “He's another really good right-hander for us. He has the ability to hit with power and is a good hitter. He won't start tonight, but we expect him to be in the last six games and play a lot.”

Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías returned on Sunday and are back in action tonight at second and third base, respectively. Relievers Danny Coulombe and Jacob Webb are in the bullpen. The Orioles are slowly getting back to full strength, or at least a much tighter version of it.

“Seeing Westy and Urías out there a couple of days ago, and both of them played well that day. They also showed what they bring to our team and what we're missing,” Hyde said. “Westy missed most of the second half, and he just has his toughness, his competitiveness in the at-bats and on defense. Just the whole package from second or third base. It's great to have him back with us.”

“Urías was probably swinging the bat as well as anyone before he sprained his ankle in Denver and has picked up right where he left off a few days ago. It's good to have all three of them back with us.”

Coulombe made two appearances against the Tigers after returning from June surgery to remove bone chips in his left elbow, throwing 1 2/3 scoreless innings and having four strikeouts.

“Danny and Webb, two guys I relied on heavily in the first half, had a lot of success using them in certain spots,” Hyde said. “Danny looked good. … Webby will be an important part of our bullpen as well.”

The Orioles optioned Eloy Jiménez this afternoon to make room for Mountcastle. After being traded to the White Sox, he batted .296 with a .724 OPS in 23 games in August but was just 1-for-24 this month. He did not play in the field.

“I don't think the sporadic playing time helped him,” Hyde said. “The guy was used to playing every day for the first four or five years of his career. He was a little bit in a platoon role, a pinch-hit role. Something he just hadn't done a lot, and it was also difficult to find his rhythm and timing after being injured a lot in the first half.

“We just felt that adding these three guys would add a little more versatility to our squad.”