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Photo Credit: Mike Lang / USA TODAY NETWORK

Orioles Cy Young Finalist Nearing Return From Injury

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports | By Carly Wimer | Last updated 4/22/24

Four months after suffering a UCL injury, Baltimore Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish could make his season debut in a matter of weeks.

Bradish has been recovering from a sprained UCL in his right elbow, the same ligament that often requires Tommy John surgery. The Orioles caught the sprain early in spring training and believe that with rest and rehabilitation, he can avoid surgery. Bradish opened the season on the 15-day injured list given the Orioles’ optimism about the 27-year-old avoiding a long-term absence.

The right-hander had spent the past couple of weeks continuing his rehab at the Orioles training facility in Sarasota. After receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection, Bradish gradually progressed from throwing on flat ground to throwing live batting practice. He threw a bullpen session last week at Camden Yards and afterwards, Baltimore announced Bradish would begin a rehab assignment.

“It will be nice. Kind of treating this as my spring training,” Bradish said. “Just working out some different mechanical things, but it will be nice to get in a game setting.”

Kyle Bradish Nearing Return to Orioles Rotation After UCL Injury

Bradish looked sharp in his first rehab outing with Double-A Bowie last week. He needed just 44 pitches to throw three scoreless innings giving up one hit and striking out four. Bradish struggled with his command in his second rehab start on Sunday pitching for Triple-A Norfolk. With the Tides, Bradish covered 3 1/3 innings striking out four and allowing four earned runs on 64 pitches.

Kyle Bradish is looking good so far love to see it!pic.twitter.com/1n89Hnvi1H

— ?am Brice (@kambrice1tv) April 21, 2024

His velocity between both rehab starts has been in line with his average from the 2023 season (94.8 mph). Kyle Bradish had a breakout season with the Baltimore Orioles in 2023. Bradish went 12-7 in 30 starts, throwing 168 2/3 innings and striking out 168 last season. He had the fourth-best ERA in baseball at 2.83 and finished fourth in American League Cy Young voting. His strong performance helped the Orioles win the American League East and reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.

Considering Bradish was shut down completely before beginning his rehab assignment, he might need the entire 30-day rehab window before he is ready to return. Bradish will likely make another rehab start this weekend before the Orioles consider activating him from the injured list.

When asked about his rehab, Bradish said, “I’m not going to feel 100 percent every day, but luckily I haven’t had any setbacks. It’s been a pretty positive one.”

Rotation mate John Means is also on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk. The left-hander is working his way back from a forearm strain that pushed his throwing progression back by a month. Despite having two veteran starters on the injured list, the Orioles are off to a hot start in 2024. Baltimore will begin a three-game road series against the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. The Orioles scored 25 runs in their series win over the Angels during Opening Week. They are currently neck and neck with the New York Yankees in the AL East and may end up on top sometime this week.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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