For the first time in 2024, it’s Kyle Bradish day for the Orioles.
It’s been a while since we’ve gotten to say these words, but: it’s Kyle Bradish day.
The Orioles’ breakout starting pitcher of 2023, Bradish is back on the Orioles’ roster for the first time in 2024, and frankly much earlier than I’d expected. When the O’s announced on the first day of spring training that Bradish had a sprained UCL in his right elbow, my first, panicked thought — the same as many others’, I’m sure — involved the initials T and J. Welp, we’re not seeing him again until 2025, I figured.
But Bradish’s treatment of platelet-rich plasma injections appears to have staved off elbow surgery, at least for now. He’s been throwing without pain, and after a trio of rehab starts, the 27-year-old right-hander is set to take the Camden Yards mound for this afternoon’s finale against the Yankees. I suppose it’s appropriate that Bradish received a shot in the arm, because that’s exactly what he’s providing to the Orioles’ rotation.
Still, it might not be reasonable to expect the 2023 version of Bradish, the fourth-place finisher in the AL Cy Young vote, right out of the gate. He didn’t have a true spring training, and while rehab starts are helpful, it’s not the same as facing a major league offense, of which the Yankees have a rather potent one. He could be on an innings or pitch limit as well. And there’s part of me that will still be holding my breath with every Bradish pitch, worried that his UCL troubles will pop up again to a much worse degree.
Let’s hope for an effective outing and no health issues from Bradish as the Orioles look to take three out of four in this series between the AL East’s top two teams. The Birds, too, will need a victory today to secure a winning homestand. Time to do this thing.
Orioles lineup:
SS Gunnar Henderson
DH Adley Rutschman
1B Ryan Mountcastle
RF Anthony Santander
3B Jordan Westburg
2B Jorge Mateo
LF Colton Cowser
C James McCann
CF Ryan McKenna
RHP Kyle Bradish
Yankees lineup:
SS Anthony Volpe
RF Juan Soto
DH Aaron Judge
1B Anthony Rizzo
2B Gleyber Torres
LF Alex Verdugo
3B Oswaldo Cabrera
C Austin Wells
CF Trent Grisham
LHP Carlos Rodón