Injuries and Rehabilitation
The Baltimore Orioles will be without right-handed starter Kyle Bradish for the remainder of the season. Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery, which included the installation of an internal brace to support his ulnar collateral ligament. This marks a significant setback for the Orioles, who are aiming to replicate their success from 2023 when they captured the American League East title.
Earlier this year, a UCL sprain was discovered in Bradish's elbow in February, causing him to miss the first month of the 2024 season. Initially opting for a non-surgical approach, the Orioles hoped rest and rehabilitation would keep him on the mound without the need for surgery. Unfortunately, this proved to be a temporary solution, and now Bradish faces a long road to recovery.
Bradish had an impressive start to the 2024 season, boasting a 2.75 ERA and a 2.48 FIP over 39 1/3 innings across eight starts. His 2023 campaign was nothing short of stellar, where he posted a 2.83 ERA and a 3.82 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 168 2/3 innings. As a testament to his performance, Bradish finished fourth in the AL Cy Young voting in 2023.
Current State of the Rotation
With Bradish out for the season, the Orioles' rotation is in a precarious state. Compounding their woes, both John Means and Tyler Wells are also expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season following their own elbow surgeries. This leaves the Orioles' pitching staff severely depleted at a critical juncture in the season.
Orioles’ general manager Mike Elias is now faced with the daunting task of shoring up the starting rotation as the trade deadline approaches. Seeking out experienced starting pitchers may be crucial if the Orioles hope to overtake the Yankees in the AL East and maintain their competitive edge.
Aim for the Title
Despite the challenges, the Orioles are determined to repeat their success from 2023 when they won 101 games and clinched the American League East title. The offseason acquisition of Corbin Burnes was a strategic move aimed at bolstering their rotation. However, with a 47-25 record and trailing by just 2 1/2 games, the loss of Bradish poses both a statistical and morale blow to the team.
The decisions made by the Orioles' management in the coming weeks will be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of their season. While the team has shown resilience and depth, the absence of key pitchers like Bradish, Means, and Wells underscores the need for immediate reinforcement.
As the Orioles navigate through this period of adversity, the coming trade deadline will likely be a turning point. Whether they can secure the necessary pitching talent to remain in contention and pursue their goal of another division title remains to be seen. The eyes of the baseball world will be on Baltimore as the Orioles strive to overcome these hurdles and continue their quest for greatness.