Injuries and Rehabilitation
The Baltimore Orioles find themselves facing significant challenges as they will be without right-handed starter Kyle Bradish for the remainder of the season. Bradish's campaign came to an abrupt end following his Tommy John surgery, which included the installation of an internal brace to support his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL).
Bradish had already missed the first month of the 2024 season after a UCL sprain was discovered in February. Initially, the team opted for a non-surgical approach, but this proved to be only a temporary solution.
Before his injury, Bradish was performing at an elite level. He posted a 2.75 ERA and a 2.48 FIP in 39 1/3 innings across 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, culminating in a fourth-place finish in the American League (AL) Cy Young voting.
Current State of the Rotation
The Orioles' rotation is now in a precarious state. Alongside Bradish, the team will also be missing John Means and Tyler Wells, who are both expected to sit out the remainder of the 2024 season following their own elbow surgeries.
Given these significant losses, Orioles’ general manager Mike Elias will likely need to seek out starting pitchers before the trade deadline. Such moves could be crucial if the Orioles are to surpass the New York Yankees in the AL East standings.
Aim for the Title
The Orioles have their sights set on repeating their success from 2023 when they won 101 games and captured the AL East title. This past offseason, the Orioles acquired Corbin Burnes, a move that was highly anticipated and praised by fans and analysts alike.
Despite the setbacks in their starting rotation, the Orioles have maintained a strong 47-25 record, although they trail the Yankees by 2 1/2 games. The loss of Kyle Bradish is significant both statistically and from a morale perspective.
Decisions in the coming weeks will be pivotal in determining the season's trajectory. The Orioles will need to carefully consider their options and possibly bring in new talent to offset the loss of Bradish and others. If successful, these moves could help the team remain competitive and in contention for the AL East title.
Conclusion
As the Orioles navigate through these injury challenges, the resolve and strategic decisions of the management will be tested. The hope is that, despite these significant setbacks, the team will continue to thrive and make a strong push towards another successful season. The resilience and adaptability of the Orioles will undoubtedly play a key role in overcoming these hurdles and striving for excellence in the remainder of the 2024 season and beyond.