Kyle Bradish Out for Season Following Surgery
In a significant blow to the Baltimore Orioles' pitching roster, Kyle Bradish is set to miss the remainder of the season due to elbow surgery. This development exacerbates an already challenging injury situation for the Orioles, who have seen several key pitchers sidelined.
Injury Woes for the Orioles' Pitching Staff
In addition to Bradish, the Orioles are dealing with the prolonged absence of John Means and Tyler Wells, both of whom have also required elbow surgeries. As if that wasn't challenging enough, Dean Kremer is currently sidelined with a strained triceps, further depleting the team's pitching depth.
Maintaining a Solid Rotation
Despite these setbacks, the Orioles have managed to maintain a robust rotation. The current lineup includes standout pitchers such as Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Cole Irvin, Cade Povich, and Albert Suárez. Impressively, they entered Wednesday ranked third in rotation ERA, showcasing their resilience and depth.
Albert Suárez, in particular, has been a bright spot, consistently delivering strong performances and stabilizing the rotation during this injury-plagued season.
Potential Trade Candidates
Given the mounting injuries, the Orioles might explore trade options to bolster their rotation. Several potential candidates could be valuable additions:
- Jesús Luzardo: Luzardo has been impressive since 2022, boasting an ERA+ of 118.
- Paul Blackburn: Although recovering from a stress fracture in his right foot, Blackburn has been a league-average starter since 2022, potentially offering reliability.
- Tyler Anderson: Anderson is owed over $20 million through next season, which could complicate potential trade negotiations.
- Erick Fedde: Fedde's recent performance has positioned him as an intriguing option for teams in need of pitching depth.
- Nick Martinez: Martinez's versatility, having split his season between the rotation and bullpen, coupled with a $12 million player option for next year, makes him a flexible choice.
- Austin Gomber: Gomber comes with another year of team control after this season, offering a longer-term solution.
- Cal Quantrill: Like Gomber, Quantrill also offers another year of team control, ensuring stability beyond the current season.
- Reid Detmers: Detmers has shown improved pitch metrics, though his ERA has been a struggle, making him a potential project for the Orioles' coaching staff.
- Braxton Garrett: Garrett has posted a 115 ERA+ in 55 appearances since 2022 despite dealing with a shoulder impingement.
- Garrett Crochet: Known for his mid-to-upper-90s fastball, cutter, and slider, Crochet boasts a 130 ERA+ and a 6.11 strikeout-to-walk ratio, making him a highly appealing option.
Exploring these trade options could be crucial for the Orioles. The decisions made in the upcoming weeks will significantly impact Baltimore's ability to compete for the remainder of the season and beyond.
While the injuries have undoubtedly strained the Orioles' roster, the team has demonstrated remarkable resilience. If they can navigate the trade market successfully, they may well turn adversity into an opportunity to strengthen their lineup for a strong finish to the season.