Injuries & Moves: Suárez called up; Bañuelos DFA'd
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April 17: RHP Albert Suárez selected from Triple-A Norfolk; C David Bañuelos designated for assignment
After right-hander Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list on Tuesday, Suárez was called up to start Wednesday afternoon's series finale vs. the Twins at Camden Yards. It marked the 34-year-old right-hander's first MLB appearance since Sept. 26, 2017.
Suárez had a 5.87 ERA in three outings (one start) for Triple-A Norfolk this season, but he made a positive impression on the Orioles during Spring Training, his first with the club. He was signed last September after spending three seasons in Japan (2019-21) and two in Korea ('22 and '23).
Bañuelos was DFA'd to make room for Suárez on the 40-man roster.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain)
Expected return: Potentially May
Bradish made his first rehab start on April 16, when he tossed three scoreless innings for Double-A Bowie vs. Altoona. He allowed one hit and struck out four while facing 10 batters. The 27-year-old right-hander threw 44 pitches (26 strikes). His fastball hit 95-96 mph on the radar gun at Prince George's Stadium. Bradish felt good the day after the outing, per O's manager Brandon Hyde.
Bradish had been scheduled to make his first rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on April 11, but he instead threw live batting practice due to inclement weather. He then threw a bullpen session at Camden Yards on April 13.
Bradish began the season on the injured list due to the right UCL sprain he sustained in January at the start of his offseason throwing program. He underwent imaging and received a platelet-rich plasma injection, then restarted his progression on Feb. 16. (Last updated: April 17)
RHP Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Wells felt soreness coming out of his April 12 start vs. the Brewers, according to manager Brandon Hyde, who said the 29-year-old right-hander went on the IL "for precautionary reasons." Hyde is "really confident" Wells will be OK and may not miss more than a couple of weeks.
Wells was placed on the injured list on April 16, a day before he was scheduled to start against the Twins. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery on the elbow in 2019, when he was a Minor Leaguer in Minnesota's organization. (Last updated: April 16)
LHP Cionel Pérez (right oblique strain)
Expected return: Potentially late April/early May
Pérez exited a March 30 win over the Angels in the ninth inning alongside head athletic trainer Brian Ebel. The 27-year-old left-hander went on the injured list the next day. He began to feel discomfort while warming up in the bullpen, and it worsened upon his entry into the game.
However, Pérez believes he caught the injury in time to prevent something more serious, as he said on April 3 that he was feeling much better following treatment. He has since resumed throwing, and he is expected to throw live batting practice early in the week of April 22. (Last updated: April 16)
LHP John Means (left forearm strain)
Expected return: Late April/early May
Means made his third rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on April 11, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over three innings vs. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He previously allowed one run in three innings at Charlotte on April 6 and seven runs in one-inning-plus vs. Durham on March 31.
Means is expected to pitch for Norfolk again during the week of April 15, per general manager Mike Elias, who stated the southpaw should be activated not "too deep into May, if it does go into May."
When Means reported to Spring Training on Feb. 14, he was about a month behind other pitchers in his throwing program. After making four starts last season following his return from Tommy John surgery, he spent the early part of the offseason resting due to an October flareup for his surgically repaired left elbow (which caused him to miss the postseason last year). (Last updated: April 13)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Félix Bautista (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
Bautista, who had Tommy John surgery last October, underwent right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition on Feb. 9 in Dallas. Dr. Keith Meister performed both the Tommy John surgery and the additional procedures.
The secondary procedures (both common after Tommy John surgery) cleaned up scar tissue in Bautista’s right elbow and moved the nerve to free it up from compression. His reconstructed right UCL continues to heal well, and his recovery timeline won’t be affected. The Orioles still expect the All-Star closer -- who was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 14 -- to begin throwing in April and to return for the start of the 2025 season.
Bautista was with the Orioles for Opening Day on March 28, but he left on March 30 for Sarasota, Fla., to continue his rehab at the team's complex. (Last updated: March 30)