Orioles Hurler Has Opportunity To Claim Rotation Spot
The Baltimore Orioles aren’t quite as pitching-rich as they looked a couple of weeks ago. That leaves opportunity for a particular left-handed starter who looked like he might be an odd-man out on Opening Day.
The Orioles are expected to move Kyle Bradish to the injured list to start this season after he suffered a torn UCL. That could be a precursor to Tommy John surgery, though the Orioles are going to start with rest and rehab before taking that step.
Then, the Orioles learned that John Means isn’t as far along as they had hoped for Opening Day and he might need more time to get stretched out to start.
That’s two rotation spots that are up for grabs for left-hander Cole Irvin.
Recently, MLB.com selected a player from each team as having the most to prove in spring training. The site selected Irvin and now he can prove he’s worth the opportunity presented to him.
After Baltimore traded for Corbin Burnes, and before the issues with Bradish and Means were revealed, Irvin appeared to be destined for a spot in the Orioles’ bullpen.
Part of that was due to the fact that Irvin had experience as a reliever.
Irvin joined the Orioles last season after he was acquired from the Oakland Athletics. He was with Triple-A Norfolk at one point but he spent a good portion of the season with the Orioles. He struggled to be effective. He went 1-4 with a 4.42 ERA in 24 games (12 starts) and struck out nearly eight hitters per nine innings.
Irvin was a starter in 2021 and 2022 with the Athletics. In 2021 he lost an American League-high 15 games.
It’s probably too much to ask Irvin to suddenly become a Bradish or a Means. But if Irvin can emerge as an effective back-of-the-rotation starter, then that should keep him in the Majors and give him a chance to prove to the Orioles that he’s worth a start every fifth, day, even when Bradish and Means return.
Either way, it’s time for Irvin to prove he’s ready for the opportunity.
