The Angels acquired right-hander Grayson Rodriguez from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for outfielder Taylor Ward on Tuesday night, potentially filling one of their rotation holes and clearing a corner outfield logjam.

Rodriguez missed all of the 2025 season dealing with an elbow injury, and he ultimately underwent surgery to have bone chips removed in August. Rodriguez is expected to be ready for spring training, an Angels spokesman said after the trade was announced.

General Manager Perry Minasian is expected to address the deal.

Rodriguez last pitched for the Orioles in July 2024, before a lat strain ended a promising season. Rodriguez, 26, had a 3.86 ERA through 20 starts before he was hurt.

In spring training this year, Rodriguez felt elbow discomfort during a March 5 Grapefruit League start.

He then had another lat strain in mid April. While he was rehabbing that in July, he had more elbow trouble. That led to the August surgery.

Assuming Rodriguez is ready to go when the season starts, he would join a rotation that includes right-hander José Soriano and left-handers Yusei Kikuchi and Reid Detmers.

Rodriguez is under control for four seasons, while Ward is set to hit free agency at the end of the 2026 season.

By moving Ward, the Angels cleared the way for Mike Trout, Jo Adell or Jorge Soler to play the two corner outfield spots, which would allow them to acquire a good defensive center fielder or have Bryce Teodosio play center.

Ward, 31, was one of the longest-tenured Angels. He first reached the majors in 2018, and played 704 games over the past eight seasons. Ward reached career-highs with 36 home runs and 103 RBIs in 2025. He hit .228 with a .792 OPS.