Orioles pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez out indefinitely with lat strain

The Baltimore Orioles went into Thursday night's home game against the Seattle Mariners at 22-30 on the season and sitting in dead last in the American League East standings. This isn't surprising considering the Orioles weren't expected to do much throughout the campaign, but the hope was that promising young talents such as right-hander Grayson Rodriguez would eventually receive big-league opportunities this summer. 

It appears Rodriguez won't be featuring for Baltimore anytime soon. 

As noted by ESPN and The Associated Press and Zachary Silver of the MLB website, Rodriguez prematurely exited his start for Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday. Orioles executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias told reporters before Thursday's contest that an MRI from team doctors confirmed the 22-year-old is dealing with a right lat strain that will keep him out of action "probably a decent amount of time at a minimum."

Rodriguez, MLB's top pitching prospect according to the league's website, went 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA in 11 starts for Norfolk this spring before his setback. There's now no timetable for his return or his major league debut.

"The timing of this stinks," Elias added during his comments. "We were watching every start of his very carefully and carefully building him towards readiness. … Obviously, this is a delay."