BOSTON—Pitcher Kyle Bradish is nearing the end of his long rehab. Bradish, who had Tommy John surgery in June 2024, will have one more rehab start at Triple-A Norfolk before he returns to the Orioles sometime between August 25th-27th during the Orioles-Red Sox series at Camden Yards.
Bradish’s return will precede by several days the mandated roster expansion on September 1st when the Orioles will add another pitcher and position player.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said a six-man rotation is a possibility.
“As we get into September, and we get the extra guy, I think it will be an interesting conversation on the six-starter thing,” Mansolino said on Monday before the Orioles started two-game series against the Red Sox. “It’s definitely something we’re discussing, not anything we’re committing to quite yet. There’s probably a pretty good chance that it happens, but we’ll see.”
Tyler Wells, who also had right elbow surgery in June 2024, will get two more rehab starts at Triple-A Norfolk, so he could be added a few days after Bradish.
“Once he makes two more starts, he’ll come up here and be in the conversation to start as well,” Mansolino said.
Albert Suárez, who pitched for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, continues his rehab assignment.
“He’s going to make another appearance here coming up soon, and then we’ll probably start transitioning his appearances to more bullpen-type stuff,” Mansolino said.
“So when he comes back, he will most likely come back in the bullpen. He’s got a few days here before he goes again, and then from there we’ll start probably shortening things up quite possibly and getting him ready so he can start affecting our bullpen.”
O’Neill rehabbing: Outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who is on the 10-day injured list with right wrist inflammation, began baseball activities on Monday. He threw a ball for the first time since he went on the IL for the third time this season on August 6th.
“Now, it’s build up on baseball progression. Hopefully, it goes quick,” he said.
O’Neill would like to return quickly, but he didn’t set a date. He won’t rule out September 1st, when the rosters expand.
“I haven’t had a specific date set in mind,” O’Neill said. “I could see that being reasonable. Hopefully, things progress quickly, and I’m back before that, but you never know in the buildup. It could be a little longer.
“What I know now is I feel good. I’m feeling pretty much pain-free. It’s a buildup to get back to baseball shape now.”
O’Neill doesn’t know if he’ll need a rehab assignment.
Stronger lineups: Monday’s lineup features Samuel Basallo catching his first major league game and Dylan Beavers in right field.
Mansolino has Coby Mayo and Adley Rutschman on the bench.
“It’s exciting. It’s a good problem to have because we have a couple of good players on the bench tonight,” Mansolino said.
“Yesterday and today, tomorrow to write out these lineups with all these names in it and the ability that they have and the fact that they were drafted and built by the Baltimore Orioles.”
Notes: Zach Eflin had lumbar microdiscectomy surgery on Monday. The surgery, which the Orioles say was successful, was performed by Dr. Thomas Tolli in St. Petersburg, Florida. Eflin will rehab at home. … Triple-A Norfolk right-hander Trey Gibson was named the International League Pitcher of the Week. … The Orioles released infielder Anthony Servideo, their third-round draft choice in 2020. Servideo, who had been playing at Double-A Chesapeake, had a .170 average in five seasons.
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