Pitching decisions could be pending again for Orioles (updated)

The Orioles reached a point in the 2024 season when their entire rotation was on the injured list with the exception of ace Corbin Burnes. Three starters underwent reconstructive elbow surgeries in June. The team traded for Zach Eflin at the deadline and he also was shelved, missing the minimum 15 days with right shoulder inflammation.

The hope, of course, was that 2025 would be much kinder and gentler. Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells are expected back after the All-Star break. They haven’t experienced any setbacks and are long-tossing and nearing clearance for light mound sessions. But the Orioles’ luck is turning sour again.

Grayson Rodriguez is out with inflammation in his right triceps/elbow. The drastic dip in velocity in Fort Myers wasn’t mechanical and Rodriguez wasn’t just feeling sluggish. The media wasn’t overreacting to it.

Albert Suárez was moved to the bullpen to serve in long relief and he lasted one appearance before going on the IL with right shoulder inflammation. The Orioles transferred him to the 60-day IL on Monday and diagnosed him with a subscapularis strain that will keep him out for an extended stretch.

“It’s going to be months," manager Brandon Hyde told the assembled media in Arizona. "Hopefully, just a few months, but it’s really unfortunate news. Thinking about him and hoping he recovers well.”

There goes the option of putting Suárez back in the rotation if a spot opens due to an injury.

A series-opening 5-1 win over the Diamondbacks ranked as one of the club’s most complete games of the young season, with timely hits, outstanding pitching and more dependable defense. But there had to be disturbing news to go with it. Eflin alerted the club to some shoulder discomfort after the sixth inning, leading to his removal at 73 pitches. The fastball dipped to 89.7 mph twice in the last inning, and the term used for his condition was “fatigue.”

It happens a lot in spring training, a “tired arm” that briefly creates an issue in camp and isn’t serious. But Eflin is the No. 1 starter on this year’s staff and now he might be gone, too.

Never overreact to optimism because it’s so easy to get burned, but Hyde told the media that Eflin had an MRI yesterday and “felt really good waking up this morning.” The soreness wasn’t as bad.

Keep your fingers crossed but also remember that an open hand makes it easier to smack your forehead.

The pitching depth that the Orioles worked to create is taking more hits. Trevor Rogers (knee subluxation) and Chayce McDermott (lat strain) reported to camp with injuries. Kyle Gibson isn’t ready to hop into a major league rotation after signing late. He’s thrown live batting practice and bullpen sessions and makes his first start Thursday with Triple-A Norfolk.

Wrong rotation.

“We’re dodging and weaving,” Hyde said.

The fancy footwork on April 8 is alarming, but the goal remains for the roster to get stronger as the season progresses – Rodriguez, Bradish, Wells, Suárez, Rogers, McDermott, reliever Andrew Kittredge, outfielder Colton Cowser. And to keep the others as healthy as possible.

The Orioles don’t have a starter option in their bullpen. They can’t push Keegan Akin or Matt Bowman beyond a couple of innings. They’d need to bring up a pitcher from Norfolk, and No. 19 prospect Brandon Young hasn’t allowed an earned run over 11 1/3 innings in his first two outings. He’s scheduled to start Friday for Norfolk.

If Young was on the radar last summer, there’s no reason to think that he’s disappeared from it. But he wasn’t necessarily supposed to be the first choice. A healthy Rogers or McDermott might have moved ahead in the line. The competition for the last spot in the Orioles’ rotation might not have come down only to Suárez and Cade Povich. There was too much pitching until there wasn’t enough.

The Orioles have off-days on Thursday and next Monday and could go without a fifth starter until April 19, which might shift their focus to a ninth reliever. Colin Selby was on the taxi squad last night after tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit and five strikeouts with the Tides. He was on the Wild Card series roster in October.

Also on the 40-man roster are Luis González, Kade Strowd, Cody Poteet and newly acquired Craig Wolfram. Poteet has experience starting and relieving.

As for Burnes, a source confirmed yesterday that the Orioles made a four-year, $180 million offer before the veteran right-hander signed with the Diamondbacks for $210 million over six years. Negotiations stayed alive until the final days.

The average annual value of $45 million surpassed Arizona’s $35 million, but Burnes wanted the extra years and to play near his Scottsdale home.

Update: Eflin has a low grade lat strain and will be shut down for about a week. A decision is pending on a rotation replacement.