After losing starting pitcher Kyle Bradish to season-ending Tommy John surgery, the Baltimore Orioles reportedly aren't panicking.
Bradish made eight starts this season and had a 2-0 record with a 2.75 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 53 strikeouts in 39.1 innings pitched. After being placed on the 15-day injured list due to a sprained right UCL last week, he opted to undergo surgery on Wednesday.
In addition to Bradish being lost for the season, Baltimore's pitching staff has been fighting the injury bug throughout the 2024 campaign. Starters John Means and Tyler Wells were already sidelined with season-ending elbow injuries. Closer Felix Bautista also underwent Tommy John surgery, and reliever Danny Coulombe had elbow surgery that is expected to keep him out until at least September.
The Athletic noted that a previous report said Orioles general manager Mike Elias had been "telling clubs he will weigh the addition of a starting pitcher perhaps up to the deadline." It was also stated that the Orioles "still plan to let the next handful of weeks further inform their decision-making, and, for now, they may be able to afford to wait."
The emergence of Albert Suarez and Cole Povich has helped stabilize Baltimore's starting rotation, which also includes Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez and Cole Irvin.
The Orioles improved to 48-25 with Wednesday's win over the first-place New York Yankees. Irvin will be taking the mound in Thursday's series finale as Baltimore tries to earn a victory in the rubber game.
