How Orioles' pitcher fared in his final rehab start

Tyler Wells had a solid outing in his sixth and final rehab start before returning to the Orioles.

Apr 6, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tyler Wells (68) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: David Dermer-Imagn Images | David Dermer-Imagn Images

It's been a long road back for right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells, who has been out since May 2024 with a UCL injury which required surgical repair. After making six rehab starts, including five with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides, Wells is set to return to the Baltimore Orioles next week.

Wells allowed only five earned runs with 19 strikeouts and five walks over 19 innings in his first five rehab starts. He was stellar over the first two innings on Wednesday against the Gwinnett Stripers, facing the minimum number of batters.

Through two innings, Tyler Wells has faced the minimum as he continues his MLB Rehab assignment. pic.twitter.com/4Hu5sEgud3

— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) August 27, 2025

Wells continued to roll through his outing, allowing only two earned runs in 6.1 innings, striking out five and walking only one; of his 90 pitches, nearly two-thirds were for strikes. He completed his rehab assignment averaging a strikeout per inning while posting an ERA of 2.49.

Final line for #Orioles RHP Tyler Wells tonight for Triple-A Norfolk: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K's, 1 HR. 90 pitches, 59 strikes.

It was Wells' 6th and final rehab start. The 31-year-old will be rejoining the O's next week for his 2025 debut, completing return from UCL repair.

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) August 28, 2025

The Minnesota Twins originally drafted Wells in the 15th round in 2016. He was acquired by the Orioles on December 10, 2020, in the Rule 5 Draft and made Baltimore's roster the following spring. He went 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA in 44 games out of the bullpen as a rookie before winning seven games in each of the next two seasons as a starter.

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Wells appeared in only three games last season before the UCL injury, posting a record of 0-2 with an ERA of 5.87 in 15.1 innings. The 31-year-old has a career MLB record of 16-18 with an ERA of 4.06 in 294.2 innings.

Orioles to go with six-man rotation upon Wells' return

Instead of removing a player from the active roster, the Orioles plan to go with a six-man rotation when Wells returns to the team next week. In addition to Wells, the rotation will consist of Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano, Trevor Rogers, and Cade Povich.

Tony Mansolino said #Orioles will go to 6-man rotation when rosters expand Monday. It will feature:

RHP Kyle Bradish
LHP Trevor Rogers
RHP Dean Kremer
RHP Tomoyuki Sugano
LHP Cade Povich
RHP Tyler Wells

Nobody will pitch on regular rest once that happens.

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) August 27, 2025

The move is possible since MLB rosters will expand from 26 to 28 players beginning September 1. Moving to a six-man rotation can give each starter additional rest coming down to the final few weeks of the season. This will be especially helpful for Wells and Kyle Bradish, also coming off injury.

Bradish, who was limited to only eight appearances last season, made his first start on Tuesday. He threw an impressive six innings, striking out 10 while allowing only two runs on four hits. Sugano leads the Orioles with 10 wins and an ERA of 4.06, while Kremer leads the team with 157.1 innings pitched and 127 strikeouts.