Young Orioles Starter Sets Goal For Starring Role
The Baltimore Orioles have two open spots in their starting rotation to start the regular season.
Tyler Wells wants one of them. And his campaign started on Friday in North Port, Fla., against the Atlanta Braves.
Wells pitched two innings in the game, his first start of spring training. He faced the minimum, getting Jarred Kelenic to ground into a double play after he singled. Wells then retired the next four hitters.
Wells has a good chance of being in the rotation on opening day. But the Orioles are still exploring options, including bringing in veteran Julio Teheran in on a minor-league deal with the intention of stretching him out as a starter.
The Orioles want options, given the circumstances.
Bradish, who finished in the Top 5 in Cy Young voting last season, went 12-7 in 30 starts, throwing 168.2 innings and striking out 168. He had the fourth-best ERA in baseball at 2.83 and had a 1.04 WHIP.
But he reported to spring training with a UCL sprain in the right elbow, one the Orioles hope can be healed without surgery.
He’s already received a PRP treatment and is throwing on flat ground, but it’s not clear when he will start throwing from a mound. He will most likely start the season on the Orioles’ injured list.
Meanwhile, John Means reported to spring training about a month behind his preparation for the regular season. Means returned late last season from Tommy John surgery.
Wells took off like a rocket last season but ended up spending part of 2023 in the minor leagues when his effectiveness took a hit. He ended up going 7-6 with a 3.64 ERA in 25 games (20 starts).
Wells wants to make the rotation, but he also has a goal wrapped up in that desire to be a starter, he said to MLB.com.
“I want to be able to make 35 starts this year. I want to be able to go out there and accumulate a lot of innings and be part of the staff and reliable for the guys. I think, for me, that's just kind of how I built my offseason to be like. So far so good. Feeling really good. Feeling really strong. I’m just looking to carry that throughout the season.”
