The Orioles are missing four pitchers who have been used as starters this season. Three are out for the season.
Infielder Jordan Westburg missed a game after Yankees right fielder Juan Soto collided with him on the base paths.
Nonetheless, the Orioles won two of three games against the Yankees in the Bronx, including a resounding 17-5 victory in the finale on June 20.
The Orioles’ bats heated up after losing the opener against Nestor Cortes, getting after the Yankees’ bullpen in the last two games. Gerrit Cole, last year’s American League Cy Young Award winner, exited after throwing four innings in his first start back from the injured list. The Orioels then pounded Luis Gil, who allowed a season-high seven runs in the finale
While there are still concerns about the starting rotation and a shorthanded bullpen, the Orioles showed they may very well be the best team in the major leagues after also winning a key series against the Phillies last weekend.
“Going into a series facing Cortes, Cole and Gil, you know it’s going to be a tough series, and really proud of our guys, winning this series,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “The way we came out and swung the bat today, that was incredible. So many hard-hit balls there early. Just really, really good at-bats.”
The Orioles had thought about a six-man rotation in early June because of their depth, but now that plan has been completely scrapped. John Means, Tyler Wells and now Kyle Bradish have undergone elbow surgery. Dean Kremer (right triceps strain) is still working his way back with rehab assignments at Triple-A Norfolk.
That means the rotation currently consists of Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Cole Irvin, rookie Cade Povich and journeyman Albert Suárez.
Even though this current group starters has mostly pitched effectively, general manager Mike Elias might have to pull the trigger on a trade to fortify the rotation, especially for the stretch run when the Orioles are pushing for an AL East title or wild-card spot. Suárez could be valuable pitching out of the bullpen in long relief.
Hyde is ready to forge ahead with the current staff
“Injuries are a part of the game,” Hyde said. “We’re very aware, players are aware. They’re just going out and playing. Obviously we feel terrible for the guys that have gotten hurt and they’re friends, they’re teammates. We know their families. The whole thing. It’s a very, very hard thing, but the game doesn’t stop for you and you keep playing, and we’ve done that.”
Targeting Bullpen Help?
Left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe has been ruled out until September following an elbow operation.
Coulombe has been one of the Orioles’ most effective pitchers, posting a 2.42 ERA and 0.615 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and three walks in 29 appearances (26 innings) this season.
Manager Brandon Hyde needs to make major adjustments now that Coloumbe is out for at least the summer.
“We feel good that he’s probably going to be back with us at some point during the last part of the season, but he’s been a huge piece of our bullpen and we’re going to miss him the time he’s gone also,” Hyde said.
Coloumbe’s injury creates a challenge to the Orioles’ strategy out of the bullpen, especially when the starters can’t go deep into games.
For now, left-hander Cionel Pérez into Coloumbe’s role as the top lefty setup man, but he has also dealt with injuries and inconsistency this season. Pérez allowed two runs to the Yankees in a third of an inning on June 19. His ERA is now 4.87 on the year.
Fellow lefty reliever Keegan Akin has also been inconsistent this season. Akin did manage to pitch two scoreless innings against the Yankees on June 20, lowering his ERA to 3.63.
Overall, the bullpen has pitched well despite some of the stress on relievers.
General manager Mike Elias is reportedly looking at the trade market to add a reliever. The Orioles have been linked to Mason Miller (Athletics), Ryan Helsley (Cardinals), Dylan Floro (Nationals) and Steven Wilson (White Sox).
However, Elias might not want to part with some of the team’s top-tier prospects to attain bullpen help.
Regardless, the trade deadline will be interesting for the Orioles.
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