Injury Woes Continue for Orioles as Kyle Bradish Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
The Baltimore Orioles were dealt another blow on Wednesday as they lost yet another starter to injury. General Manager Mike Elias confirmed that Kyle Bradish underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery, performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas. The surgery involved the installation of an internal brace to support Bradish’s ulnar collateral ligament.
This latest setback comes after Bradish experienced elbow discomfort during his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies on June 14. The 27-year-old had already missed the first month of the season due to a sprained UCL in January and had only made his season debut on May 2. Despite the limited playing time, Bradish had shown promise with a 2.75 ERA, 53 strikeouts, and a 1.068 WHIP through 39 1/3 innings pitched this year.
Bradish’s injury adds to the growing list of woes for the Orioles’ rotation. The team is already without left-hander John Means, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, right-hander Tyler Wells, who underwent UCL repair surgery with internal brace augmentation, and closer Félix Bautista, who also had Tommy John surgery.
In addition to Bradish, reliever Danny Coulombe also underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove bone chips in his left elbow. Coulombe, who has been the Orioles’ best reliever this season, experienced elbow soreness while playing catch on June 10 and was subsequently placed on the injured list. He could potentially return in September. Coulombe has been impressive with a 2.42 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and a remarkable 0.62 WHIP in 26.0 innings pitched.
These injuries have undoubtedly affected the Orioles’ pitching staff, but they have still managed to maintain a strong record. With a current record of 47-25, the Orioles have the third-best record in the majors, trailing only the New York Yankees (51-24) and the Philadelphia Phillies (49-25). Currently in the midst of a three-game series against the Yankees, the Orioles will need to rely on their remaining healthy players to continue their successful season.
The Orioles’ ability to overcome these injuries and remain competitive showcases the depth and resilience of their roster. While losing key players is undoubtedly challenging, the team has managed to find ways to stay in contention. It is a testament to the strength of their coaching staff and the determination of their players.
Moving forward, the Orioles will need to rely on their remaining starters and bullpen to fill the void left by Bradish and Coulombe. It will be crucial for other pitchers to step up and deliver consistent performances in order for the team to maintain their strong position in the standings.
Injuries are an unfortunate part of any sport, and the Orioles have certainly had more than their fair share this season. However, they have shown that they are capable of overcoming adversity and finding success. As fans, we can only hope for a speedy recovery for all the injured players and look forward to seeing the Orioles continue to compete at a high level.