The Los Angeles Angels made a significant offseason move by trading outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Rodriguez, 26, missed the entire 2025 season due to an elbow injury but is working to return to full strength ahead of the 2026 campaign. This update on his health offers cautious optimism for the Angels as they prepare for spring training.
Positive Signs From Rodriguez’s Bullpen Session
Reports from the Angels’ training camp indicate that Rodriguez recently completed a bullpen session, showing encouraging progress in his comeback. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the former first-round pick
“threw a bullpen session in Angels’ camp today, and by all accounts, looks good and feels good, after missing last season. The Angels have four years of team control with the former first-round pick.”
Advancement in his rehabilitation is crucial for determining his role in the roster for the upcoming season.
Outlook for Rodriguez’s Role in the 2026 Season
Rodriguez is expected to compete for a spot in the Angels’ starting rotation, with his status dependent on how he performs during spring training. The 2026 season will mark his third year in Major League Baseball and his first with Los Angeles. His early years with Baltimore showed uneven results, typical for many young pitchers, but he demonstrated improvement in 2024 compared to his rookie year in 2023.
Entering 2026, Rodriguez has recorded a career 4.11 ERA, a 1.291 WHIP, 259 strikeouts, and a winning percentage of 71.4%. The Angels may opt for a six-man rotation that includes Rodriguez alongside Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Reid Detmers, Caden Dana, and Alex Manoah, adding depth to their pitching staff.
Implications for the Angels and Next Steps
Rodriguez’s recovery and readiness are vital for the Angels as they look to bolster their pitching rotation amid uncertainty. If he regains full health and form, he could become a key contributor over the next several seasons under the team’s control. The upcoming weeks of spring training will be critical in evaluating his performance and determining his role during the 2026 season.
Grayson Rodriguez threw a bullpen session in Angels' camp today and by all accounts, looks good and feels good, after missing last season. The Angels have four years of team control with the former first-round pick.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 11, 2026
