Angels Activate Grayson Rodriguez, Send Down Surprise Pitcher

The Los Angeles Angels officially reinstated right-hander Grayson Rodriguez from the injured list ahead of his start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.

The Angels announced Rodriguez would start against the Dodgers in the series finale earlier in the week.

In a corresponding move, the Angels optioned right-hander Alek Manoah to Triple-A Salt Lake following his disappointing outing on Saturday.

#Angels transactions:
•Reinstated RHP Grayson Rodriguez from injured list
•Optioned RHP Alek Manoah to Triple-A Salt Lake following last night’s game

— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) May 17, 2026

Rodriguez hasn’t pitched in an MLB game since July 2024, when he was still with the Baltimore Orioles. The right-hander suffered a lat/teres strain which ended his 2024 season, then underwent elbow debridement surgery to miss all of 2025. He looked ready to return for the Angels in spring training, but went back on the injured list with shoulder inflammation.

Mar 13, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez (21) throws against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

The 26-year-old made two rehab starts for the ACL Angels and Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, allowing just three runs across 9.2 innings pitched.

Formerly a top prospect, Rodriguez has made 43 MLB starts but has struggled throughout his career with injury. All 43 of his starts came with the Orioles from 2023-24, where he threw 238.2 total innings and logged 259 strikeouts.

The Angels landed Rodriguez in the offseason, trading Taylor Ward—who only had one year left of team control—to the AL East.

Why Did the Angels Send Alek Manoah to Triple-A?

Manoah signed a one-year, $1.95 million deal with the Angels in the offseason, though he hasn’t quite lived up to the Angels’ expectations so far.

He landed on the injured list during spring training with an injury to the middle finger on his throiwing hand, and made his return in early May. He made three appearances for the Angels, all of which came in relief, and managed six scoreless—albeit a little chaotic—innings to kick off his Halos tenure.

May 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Alek Manoah (47) returns to the dugout after pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images
May 8, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Alek Manoah (47) returns to the dugout after pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

The wheels came falling off in his appearance against the Dodgers on Sunday, though, where he allowed nine runs to cross in just 1.1 innings of work.

He threw 59 pitches to record four outs, allowing six hits and three walks.

The Angels will hope a stint in the minors will help Manoah return to his Cy Young-finalist form.

The post Angels Activate Grayson Rodriguez, Send Down Surprise Pitcher appeared first on LA Sports Report.

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