Injuries and Rehabilitation
The Baltimore Orioles will be without their right-handed starter, Kyle Bradish, for the remainder of the season. This significant loss comes after Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery, a procedure that included the installation of an internal brace to support his ulnar collateral ligament.
Bradish’s troubles began earlier this year when a UCL sprain was discovered in February, causing him to miss the first month of the 2024 season. Initially, a non-surgical approach was taken to manage his injury. However, this proved to be only a temporary solution. His condition eventually required surgical intervention, bringing his season to an abrupt end.
Before his injury woes, Bradish demonstrated his prowess on the mound with a 2.75 ERA and a 2.48 FIP across 39 1/3 innings in eight starts. In the 2023 season, he recorded a 2.83 ERA and an impressive 3.82 K/BB ratio over 168 2/3 innings. His stellar performance earned him a fourth-place finish in the AL Cy Young voting that year.
Current State of the Rotation
The Orioles’ rotation is now in a precarious state with Bradish's absence compounding their problems. John Means and Tyler Wells are also expected to miss the remainder of the 2024 season following their respective elbow surgeries. This puts the Orioles in a tough spot as they look to stay competitive in the tightly contested American League East.
With their rotation thin, Orioles’ general manager Mike Elias faces the challenge of seeking out starting pitchers before the trade deadline. Moves in the coming weeks may be crucial if the Orioles are to overtake the Yankees in the AL East.
Aim for the Title
Despite these setbacks, the Orioles aim to repeat their success from the 2023 season when they won 101 games and captured the American League East title. This past offseason, they made a significant move by acquiring Corbin Burnes, bolstering their pitching staff.
As of now, the Orioles boast a solid 47-25 record, trailing the Yankees by just 2 1/2 games. The loss of Kyle Bradish is undoubtedly significant, both statistically and from a morale perspective. Yet, the Orioles remain determined to stay in the hunt for the title.
Decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal for the Orioles' season trajectory. The ability to secure adequate pitching reinforcements can make or break their campaign, especially with the high stakes of overtaking a strong Yankees team.
The loss of Bradish is a bitter blow, but the resilience and resourcefulness of the Orioles’ front office and coaching staff could define their season. They must now navigate through this challenging period to preserve their championship aspirations.