SARASOTA, Fla. — After downplaying a significant dip in his fastball velocity Wednesday, Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez reported soreness in his right tricep and underwent testing to determine the severity of the injury, manager Brandon Hyde announced Thursday.

“There’s always concern,” Hyde said of any pitcher dealing with an arm injury. “I’m concerned every day right now with everybody. But in this case, we’ll have more information tomorrow.”

Rodriguez, 25, averaged 93.2 mph with his four-seamer during his Grapefruit League start against the Minnesota Twins, well below the 96.1 he averaged during the 2024 season. The starter gave up several hard-hit balls, including a double off the wall on a fastball Statcast registered at 89.5. He said after the abbreviated 1 1/3-inning outing that he felt “sluggish” and dismissed the notion that the velocity readings were a result of physical or mechanical issues.

“I don’t know if it’s really mechanical or not, I just know some days are a little harder than others,” Rodriguez said. “But yeah, today was a little difficult just trying to get in the strike zone. Mentally was a little sped up but I don’t really know what else there was.”However, Rodriguez’s health is now a concern after he entered camp testing out a new delivery that was aimed at taking stress off his lat muscle, which has cost him significant time in two of the past three seasons because of injuries. He was also making a concerted effort to tamper down his velocity early in camp to ensure a more gradual buildup process for his arm.

Should he miss extended time, the Orioles’ rotation would have a sudden opening. Right-hander Albert Suárez has been building up as a starter this spring and would be the presumptive favorite to take that spot, through left-hander Cade Povich has impressed with a 0.00 ERA and 7-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio so far this spring.

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