Orioles vs. Rangers Wednesday MLB probable pitchers, odds: AL Rookie of the Year candidate Grayson Rodriguez to make big-league debut for Baltimore

The Baltimore Orioles already have one of the most talented young rosters in the majors and a top American League Rookie of the Year candidate in infielder Gunnar Henderson, who is +300 to win the award at DraftKings. They add another potential winner today in right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (+1300) as he makes his MLB debut in Texas opposite two-time NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom. The Rangers are -190 favorites.

Back in January, Orioles general manager Mike Elias told CBS Sports insider Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio that he expected Rodriguez to make Baltimore's rotation out of spring training even though the 23-year-old hadn't pitched an inning in the majors. Rodriguez didn't make the club, though, in part because of a 7.04 ERA in Grapefruit League action. He allowed 14 runs (11 earned) in his final 10 2/3 innings of spring and was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.  

Last Friday, Rodriguez made his first start of the season for Norfolk and allowed three runs (two earned) in four innings at Durham. In his minor-league career, Rodriguez has a 2.49 ERA, 12.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 rates, 0.963 WHIP and .174 batting average against. He threw only 75 2/3 innings in the minors last year due to a lat strain he suffered in June 2022.

A foot injury to Kyle Bradish on Monday in Texas required Tyler Wells to pitch in relief instead of making his scheduled start Tuesday. Kyle Gibson moved up a day in the rotation to pitch Tuesday, leaving a spot open for Rodriguez today. Bradish was placed on the 15-day injured list to open a roster spot for Rodriguez, who is ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the sport by MLB.com. Henderson is No. 1.

Rodriguez, who is set at over/under 4.5 strikeouts today at FanDuel, should have plenty of friends and family in attendance. He was born in Houston and attended high school 150 miles north in Nacogdoches, Texas.

He is opposed by two-time NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom, who was roughed up for five runs on six hits but did strike out seven in an Opening Day no-decision vs. Philadelphia. DeGrom is 2-0 with a 1.23 ERA (2 ER/14.2 IP) in two career starts vs. Baltimore. He is set at O/U 8.5 strikeouts. 

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