Orioles starting pitcher Kyle Bradish stood in front of his locker and did not look the least bit concerned about a right UCL sprain that has kept him out of the major league rotation thus far this season.
Bradish’s next step is a rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie on Tuesday, April 16. He is expected to throw 40 to 50 pitches across two or three innings, according to manager Brandon Hyde.
For Bradish, it’s finally an opportunity to throw in a competitive game for the first time in 2024.
“It will be nice to face some other jerseys,” Bradish said. “It will be nice. Kind of treating this as my spring training. Just working out some different mechanical things, but it will be nice to get in a game setting.”
Last season, Bradish, 27, became the ace of the starting rotation last year, going 12-7 with that 2.83 ERA with 168 strikeouts in 168.2 innings. However, he underwent a plasma-rich platelet injection in January for the UCL sprain, which took time to heal.
Bradish threw a live batting practice session on April 11, which gave the team enough confidence to assign him to nearby Bowie. His main focus is to make sure he’s ready to face major league hitters when he rejoins the Orioles’ rotation in the near future.
“The only real challenge is making sure you’re ready when you come in,” Bradish said. “Because these games matter. … I mean, day-by-day, just knowing that it’s a long process and you are not going to have overnight fixes for anything. 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.”
It’s also a good sign for the Orioles.
Holliday’s Early Slump No Reason For Concern
Orioles co-hitting coach Ryan Fuller shook his head and let out a light laugh when asked if he was concerned about rookie phenom Jackson’s Holliday’s early slump.
“We’re not worried at all,” Fuller said before Sunday’s game against the Brewers. “He’s had all the cameras in his face and a lot of stuff going on the first couple of days. We can’t wait to just have him be in a normal routine. Be one of the guys and come here and not feel like he has to get a hit today. Just let his process take over and hopefully that initial knock will take a little steam away and he’ll be ready to roll.”
That proved to be a prophetic statement.
The 20-year-old second baseman managed a single in a 6-4 win on April 14, which snapped a 0-for-13 skid that included nine strikeouts.
“Pretty relieved,” Holliday said after the game. “It’s very nice to finally get it out of the way and just kind of enjoy playing baseball now versus trying to fight for a hit.”
Holliday had struck out his first-two-at bats against Milwaukee before poking a single to right field that put runners on first and third with the Orioles trailing, 4-3. Gunnar Henderson followed with a game-tying single. Holliday showed his speed by racing to third base and then scored on a fielder’s choice by Adley Rutschman.
On April 15 against the Twins, he went 0-for-4 in a 7-4 Orioles victory and is now 1-for-19.
Holliday admits that it’s been an adjustment to the major leagues, but he has not lost any of his confidence.
“It’s a lot, but it’s been fun,” Holliday said. “It’s quite an experience. I don’t think I would ever take it for granted, the experience that I’m having. If you go 0-for for three or four games, it’s going to happen in baseball. I’d prefer it not to be at the beginning of my career, but it’s going to happen. I’m glad to hopefully learn from it.”
Burnes Brings The Intensity
Even when right-hander Corbin Burnes does not have his best stuff, he still gives the Orioles a chance to win.
On April 14 against Milwaukee, Burnes did not factor into the decision in his first career start against his former team but the Orioles emerged with a 6-4 victory. He allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits (one home run), two walks, five strikeouts and one balk in five innings pitched — his shortest start of the season.
“They’ve got a good approach up there right now,” Burnes said of the Brewers. “They understand what the guy on the mound is doing. They do a good job of not chasing. Made a couple of mistakes early to the first two hitters, then after that we were able to limit some big damage.”
Burnes was the Orioles’ biggest acquisition of the offseason and so far he is paying dividends. He is 2-0 with a 2.28 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in four starts. Burnes has struck out 25 batters and walked four in 23.2 innings. Opponents are hitting just. 205 against him.
The 2021 National League Cy Young Award winner adds a swagger to the Orioles’ rotation.
“I would say I have an advantage over every lineup,” Burnes said. “I would say I have a leg up on anyone I face.”
Photo Credits: Colin Murphy and Kenya Allen/PressBox