AL East Injuries: Updates on Blue Jays' Erik Swanson, Yankees' Gerrit Cole, others

Baltimore Orioles

Grayson Rodriguez and Andrew Kittridge

The Orioles got a double dip of pitcher injuries this weekend, as manager Brandon Hyde annouced that both Rodrigue and Kittridge will start the season on the injured list.

Rodriguez is working through some discomfort in his elbow triceps area, while Kittridge will miss multiple months due to arthroscopic knee surgery.

While no manager wants to be without a young starter like Rodriguez, it seems like he dodged major injury, as Hyde told reporters that he's not concerned about Rodriguez's ligament.

Rodriguez had already told reporters this spring that he felt "sluggish" this spring after having some diminished velocity, so his injury shouldn't come as a surprise. Even if it seems like Rodriguez has avoided serious injury, his absence will still leave a huge hole in Baltimore's rotation.

He was diagnosed with elbow inflammation on Sunday and will be shut down for 7-10 days before starting a throwing program.

The final spot in Baltimore's rotation will now come down to Cade Povich or Albert Suarez.

Kittridge's injury is a huge blow to Baltimore's bullpen after the team signed him to a one-year, $10 million deal in the offseason. He underwent successful left knee debridement which will keep him out for the time being.

The Orioles still have plenty of high-leverage arms in their bullpen like Félix Bautista, Yennier Cano and Seranthony Domínguez, but they signed Kittridge for a reason. It'll be worth watching if they add a veteran arm in free agency ahead of Opening Day.