Injuries & Moves: O's make 2 trades for pitching help
LATEST NEWS
July 26: RHP Zach Eflin acquired from Rays in exchange for INF/OF Mac Horvath, RHP Jackson Baumeister, OF Matthew Etzel
The O's dealt a trio of prospects in order to land Eflin, a 30-year-old right-hander who should bolster the club's rotation. Eflin recorded a 3.72 ERA in 50 starts for Tampa Bay over the past two seasons. More >>
July 26: RHP Seranthony Domínguez, OF Cristian Pache acquired from Phillies in exchange for OF Austin Hays
Domínguez is expected to provide a boost to the back end of Baltimore's bullpen, as the 29-year-old right-hander has electric stuff. However, the O's had to part with Hays, a veteran leader and strong clubhouse guy, in the deal. More >>
July 26: RHP Vinny Nittoli, RHP Levi Stoudt designated for assignment
In the fallout of the Orioles' two Friday trades, they DFA'd a pair of right-handers to clear spots on the 40-man roster for their acquisitions.
Nittoli tossed four scoreless innings over two appearances for Baltimore earlier this month. Stoudt has a 4.26 ERA over nine relief outings for Double-A Bowie this season.
10/15-DAY INJURED LIST
INF Jorge Mateo (left elbow subluxation)
Expected return: TBD
Mateo was placed on the IL on July 25, retroactive to July 24, after he partially dislocated his elbow when his left arm got tangled with Gunnar Henderson while they both attempted to field a single during the Orioles' July 23 series opener in Miami.
The Orioles expect Mateo to be sidelined for "some time," according to manager Brandon Hyde. Upon the club's return to Baltimore on July 26, the O's will send Mateo for further tests and second opinions.
"It's gonna be a while right now," Hyde said on July 25. "It's so swollen and sore that it's gonna take some time trying to get the swelling out, and then he's gonna get some second opinions, and we're gonna have some of the doctors take a look at it, but it's going to be a significant amount of time." (Last updated: July 25)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
LHP Danny Coulombe (left elbow inflammation)
Expected return: September
Coulombe underwent surgery to have bone chips removed from his left elbow on June 18. The procedure was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, and it is not expected to end the 34-year-old's season.
"September is what we’re hoping for," general manager Mike Elias said on June 19. "I can’t control that stuff, but I think September would be a really responsible hope right now."
Coulombe, who has a 2.42 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP over 29 appearances this season, has been rehabbing in Sarasota, Fla., since the surgery. He visited the team in Arlington from July 19-21, and while he doesn't want to put a timeline on his recovery, he feels Elias' estimation of a September return is fair. At that time, Coulombe was hoping to begin a throwing progression in the near future. (Last updated: July 19)
RHP Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain)
Expected return: Second half of 2025
Bradish underwent Tommy John surgery on June 19, ending his 2024 season after only eight starts. The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, and also included Bradish receiving an internal brace -- the same type of hybrid procedure that Rangers ace Jacob deGrom received in June 2023.
Bradish battled elbow trouble all year. His first right UCL sprain was sustained in January -- when he also received a platelet-rich plasma injection -- and delayed the start of his season until early May. On June 14, Bradish experienced elbow discomfort during a start against the Phillies, exiting that game after five innings.
The Orioles will be without the 27-year-old right-hander -- who finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2023 and had a 2.75 ERA in '24 -- until the second half of the '25 season. Bradish was transferred to the 60-day IL on July 11. (Last updated: July 11)
RHP Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Wells underwent right UCL repair surgery with internal brace augmentation on June 17 and was transferred to the 60-day IL two days later. The procedure was performed by Dr. Keith Meister at Trinity Park Surgery Center in Arlington, Texas. Wells did not get a second Tommy John surgery, which he previously had on his right UCL in May 2019.
Throughout May, Wells had been rehabbing at the Orioles' facilities in Sarasota, Fla. He began to play catch late in the month, but he continued to experience discomfort, according to general manager Mike Elias.
Wells didn't bounce back from his April 6 start at Pittsburgh the way he had hoped and said he felt discomfort during his April 12 outing vs. Milwaukee. He was initially placed on the IL on April 16. (Last updated: June 19)
LHP John Means (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late 2025 or early '26
Means underwent Tommy John surgery on June 3 in Arlington, Texas. The operation was performed by Dr. Keith Meister. It is the second time Means has undergone the procedure, which he previously had in April 2022. He was then transferred to the 60-day IL on June 13.
On May 22, Means experienced discomfort in his left elbow during a start in St. Louis. The Orioles placed him on the IL the next morning, and the lefty flew back to Baltimore for additional testing. He later received a second opinion, which resulted in the decision to end his season.
“I’m going to take it day by day and do the best I can to get back and get it right this time,” Means said. “I still want to pitch, honestly. I’d like to fail on the field before I give it up. I feel like if I go out there I can still pitch.”
Means has made only 10 big league starts since the start of the 2022 season. He made four in September and then missed the postseason due to a flareup in his elbow, which also caused him to open the '24 campaign on the IL. He made only four starts again this season, and is a free agent this winter. More >> (Last updated: June 13)
RHP Félix Bautista (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
On June 7, Bautista threw from about 90 feet on the field at Tropicana Field, where the Orioles opened a four-game series vs. the Rays. The All-Star closer, who had Tommy John surgery last October, had been rehabbing in Sarasota, Fla., but he came up to visit with the team.
"Awesome to see him. Looks amazing. Looks like he's in unbelievable shape," manager Brandon Hyde said on June 7. "He's throwing the ball great. Just to have him around, honestly, brings a smile to everybody's face. Just such a warm guy, and everybody loves him."
Bautista also 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 Orioles still expect Bautista -- who was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 14 -- to return for the start of the 2025 season. (Last updated: June 7)