Wondering when Wells can rejoin Orioles

The Orioles' 40-man roster went untouched again yesterday. The transactions page didn't require updating. 

At least one starting pitcher, at least one reliever, a right-handed hitting outfielder and a backup catcher are on the much-publicized shopping list. There are only so many ways to present it. And an item or two could be crossed off at next week's Winter Meetings in Dallas. 

The following question won't dictate how executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias proceeds, but it's worth asking.

Can Tyler Wells be available for the bulk of the second half?

Wells underwent his elbow surgery on June 17, a little more than two weeks after the club confirmed his status. Elias provided updates on Wells and John Means on May 31. Means had his surgery three days later, but Wells took longer.

“It’s a very unfortunate situation for us, for them,” Elias said that day. “Tough news for everybody, but we’ll take great care of them and get them back to their skill levels in due time.”

Means is a free agent for the first time and could make his return with a different club. Wells was tendered a contract, with MLBTradeRumors.com projecting his salary at $2.1 million.

Rather than be subjected to the standard reconstructive surgery that can lead to a recovery period around 16-18 months, Wells had revision ulnar collateral ligament surgery with a UCL repair and internal brace augmentation. A longer name but possibly a shorter shutdown.

This type of surgery is gaining popularity because pitchers can return closer to the 12-month mark. Wells was a candidate, unlike Means, because he didn’t have a full tear of the ligament.

The internal brace procedure repairs the UCL and reinforces it with a tape-like suture, different than a total reconstruction with a tendon replacing the ligament.

(This is why it isn’t called “ligament replacement surgery.” The use of a tendon makes it a “reconstruction.” And that’s your medical lesson for the day.)

Wells already had Tommy John surgery in 2019 while in the Twins’ system and before the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 draft. A second, identical procedure would have further delayed his return. As it turned out, he was fortunate to be a candidate for the revision and internal brace.

Atlanta’s Spencer Strider had the same surgery on April 13, with Dr. Keith Meister also handling it in Arlington, Texas. The Orioles might get a better idea of Wells’ timeline by monitoring Strider.

Elias said on Nov. 15 that he’s expecting mid-season returns for Wells and Bradish, but it’s too early to specify a month.

“Knock on wood,” Elias said, “their rehabs are on schedule or better right now.”

Beat writers who made the trip to Kansas City interviewed Wells about his elbow inflammation on April 20. He didn’t sound alarmed, remaining confident that his stay on the injured list would be brief. He truly believed it.

“I feel really good,” he said. “I take pride in three things, and that’s being a great teammate, my work ethic and being a good pitcher. Right now, I’m really working hard with the medical staff, with the strength and conditioning staff, and really just make sure my body’s in a good place, that we’re doing a lot of hard work. And after this stint, I come back better than what I was before.”

The issue first surfaced after an April 6 start at PNC Park, where Wells allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and threw 87 pitches. He noticed more discomfort on April 12 against the Brewers, when he threw 90 pitches in four innings and allowed four runs and six hits.

“It didn’t bounce back quite as well as I’d like after Pittsburgh,” he said in Kansas City. “Then the last start, just kind of kept creeping in, so I went ahead and I said something. We just took the necessary precaution to kind of get ahead of it.”

At that point, Wells hadn’t thrown on flat ground, let alone a mound, so he couldn’t accurately measure his recovery.

Albert Suárez had his contract selected, took Wells’ turn in the rotation and tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings. It would be a sign of things to come for both pitchers.

A healthy Wells would be a huge addition after the break, if it takes that long. He was the No. 3 starter breaking camp rather than taking on a bullpen role due to injuries to Means and Kyle Bradish – he allowed only two runs in 14 1/3 exhibition innings - but made only three appearances before going on the injured list.

The 2025 rotation is under construction with Corbin Burnes a free agent. Elias is trying to land another high-profile starter, which could come via trade, but he’s also checking the market for mid-to-backend arms. Easing Wells into major league competition could put him in the ‘pen if there’s an opening.

Elias won’t let Wells influence his offseason planning because he doesn’t know when the right-hander will be ready.

The important part is just putting a ball in his hand again.