A trio of season-ending elbow surgeries dealt a major blow to the Orioles rotation - Camden Chat

Oct 17, 2024

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John Means, Kyle Bradish, and Tyler Wells were all expected to contribute to the 2024 pitching staff but fate had other plans

When the Orioles traded for Corbin Burnes in early February, the slated rotation of Burnes, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, John Means, and Dean Kremer had the potential to be one of the best in baseball.

That dream lasted just weeks before Means and Bradish were pushed back to start the season, then lost for good a few months later. Tyler Wells stepped up to the rotation in their absence, then he too was lost for the season. In a brutal turn of events, all three ended up having elbow surgery mid-year, meaning they not only missed most of 2024 but they’ll also be lucky to return in 2025.

The Orioles did not get the killer rotation we dreamed of and, even worse, the 2025 season will also be affected. Wells and Bradish may not return until late in the season, if at all, and Means may be gone for good.

When John Means walked off the mound in April 2022 and shortly after it was announced that he needed Tommy John surgery, Birdland did not take it well. The team’s most solid pitcher was gone for the rest of the season and beyond. When the team looked playoff-bound in 2023, getting Means back at the start of September felt like one of the last pieces falling into place. And Means looked the part, pitching to 2.66 ERA in four September starts.

But then Means was left off the ALDS roster with elbow soreness, which in retrospect was a bad sign. At the time it wasn’t played up as a big deal, but it certainly affected the ALDS itself. But still, we expected Means would be a go for the 2024 season.

Until the start of Spring Training, that is. It was revealed that Means had begun his offseason program a month later than usual and would not be ready to start the season. It was again played as not a big deal, and ultimately Means returned on May 4th with an excellent seven-inning, zero-runs, eight-strikeout performance against the Reds. Johns Means was back! Or, at least we thought.

Means made just three more starts this year, the final one on May 22nd. Against the Cardinals, he threw three scoreless innings but his velocity was down and he was seen shaking out his arm on the mound. He exited after the third inning with left elbow soreness. He was placed on the injured list and, about 10 days later, it was announced that he needed a second Tommy John surgery.

John Means is slated to become a free agent once the World Series concludes. He is 31 years old and will probably not pitch for the Orioles again, although I would love it if he did. He brought the team and the fans a lot of joy as a bright spot on a bad team including, of course, his 2021 no-hitter. Best of luck, John.

Kyle Bradish was one of the earliest injury announcements during Spring Training 2024. It only took until the first workout day for the world to learn that Bradish had a sprained UCL and would begin the season on the IL. After two weeks of dreaming of a one-two punch of Corbin Burnes and Bradish leading the rotation, thoughts of Tommy John started creeping into our thoughts.

Bradish received a platelet-rich plasma injection and attempted to rehab the injury without surgery. Things progressed well and he made his first rehab start in mid-April. He made his season debut on May 2nd, which lined up with the most optimistic timeline.

For the next six or so weeks, things looked great for Bradish, although the cynical among us were waiting for the other shoe to drop. He made six starts between May 2nd and June 8th and struggled with command at times but overall looked good. On June 8th, he had a great start against the Rays. He pitched six one-hit innings and struck out nine batters. He finished the game with a 2.62 ERA.

Then came June 14th against the Phillies. Bradish pitched five innings and allowed two solo home runs. After the game, it was revealed that he left due to soreness in his elbow. There was the other shoe. Thud. Five days later he had Tommy John surgery. Less than a month after losing Means, the Orioles lost Bradish too.

Unlike Means, Bradish will pitch for the Orioles again. It will just not likely be until 2026.

Of these three, Tyler Wells is the only pitcher who began the season in the starting rotation. And he probably only did so because of the injuries to Means and Bradish. He had been previously slated to be a part of the bullpen. Instead, he made his 2024 debut on March 31st against the Angels. It did not go well, a four-run effort in six innings.

Wells made two more starts, neither particularly good, then went on the IL on April 16th with right elbow inflammation. He had tests on his elbow and went to Sarasota to rehab. But he was unable to begin throwing without discomfort, and it was announced on the same day as John Means that he would be out for the season with elbow surgery.

Unlike Means and Bradish, Wells did not receive full Tommy John surgery. He instead received an alternate version with an internal brace which generally leads to shorter recovery time. That’s not to say it’s a short recovery time; he’ll still be out about 12 months if all goes well. Wells isn’t slated to be a free agent until 2028.

The rotation survived the season thanks in part to the surprise contribution from Albert Suárez and the deadline acquisition of Zach Eflin. But it’s hard not to dream on what could have been if all three players had stayed healthy throughout the year.

Previous player reviews: Previous 2024 player reviews: Keegan Akin, Cionel Pérez, Cole Irvin, Ryan O’Hearn, Craig Kimbrel, Cade Povich, midseason position player acquisitions, Jackson Holliday

Tomorrow: James McCann