Wondering whether Bradish's delayed next start means anything to O's

NEW YORK – The Orioles don’t have a confirmed starting pitcher for Saturday night and their options at the major league level seem to be dwindling.

Alexander Wells was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk, removing him from the taxi squad, and threw 34 pitches last night in relief to finish a 12-8 loss to the Yankees. And while his outing could be construed as similar to a bullpen session prior to a start, there’s an intriguing possibility one level below.

Kyle Bradish, the No. 9 prospect in the system per Baseball American and No. 10 according to MLBPipeline.com, no longer is listed as tonight’s starter with Norfolk. He’s replaced by Blaine Knight, who moves up from Thursday’s scheduled assignment.

Kevin Smith was supposed to start Friday, but Bradish has been pushed back to that spot.

What does it all mean?

The Orioles are re-syncing the Triple-A pitching schedule to match their own, which presents Bradish, 25, as an option for Saturday night against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

There’s also a desire to slow Bradish a bit now that he’s left extended spring training and made three starts with Norfolk totaling 15 innings. He’s pitched on April 12, 17 and 22 with the standard four days’ rest in between.

Bradish has surrendered only two earned runs and four total with eight hits, three walks and 17 strikeouts, and opponents are batting .148 against him. He’s carrying a 1.20 ERA and 0.73 WHIP and is stretched out to six innings and 87 pitches from his most recent outing against Durham.

John Means is undergoing ligament-reconstructive surgery on his left elbow today in Dallas. Chris Ellis was placed on the 10-day injured list yesterday with right shoulder tendinitis. A hole as reopened in the rotation.

Asked about it yesterday, manager Brandon Hyde said, “We’re just keeping it as is right now. We’ll be TBA in our next series. Going to get through these next three and see where we are at that point.”

With intrigue and speculation rising like the tide following today’s pitching changes in Triple-A.

Orioles starters didn’t allow more than two earned runs in 12 consecutive games until Sunday, when Ellis was charged with five and failed to retire a batter. Travis Lakins Sr. inherited a bases-loaded mess and Jo Adell hit a grand slam.

Jordan Lyles started last night in the Bronx and surrendered six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Yankees scored 12 to increase the Orioles’ staff ERA to 3.73, ranking 18^th in the majors.

Fans have been clamoring for Bradish on social media, pointing out the team’s needs and his age and experience at Triple-A. The right-hander has made 24 appearances since being part of the four-pitcher return from the Angels in the December 2019 Dylan Bundy trade.

The Orioles have resisted any urge to promote a prospect based only on what’s happening with their club. Bradish won’t budge unless he’s viewed as ready for a higher level of competition.

Maybe it’s happening this weekend. Or there’s just some reshuffling with Norfolk’s rotation, which also separates Bradish and No. 1 pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez.

An explanation could come this afternoon, prior to the Orioles sending Tyler Wells to the mound in the latest tandem start.

Wells faced the Yankees on April 16 and shut them out on three hits through four innings, but he lasted only 2 1/3 in his next start in Oakland and allowed two runs and five hits.

Austin Hays has a hit in nine of his last 10 games, batting .333/.396/.564 (13-for-39) with three doubles, two home runs, eight RBIs, four walks and five runs scored.

Anthony Santander will try to extend a streak of 18 consecutive games reaching base dating back to last season.

The Orioles are 4-16 at Yankee Stadium since May 15, 2019.

Yankees left-hander Jordan Montgomery has allowed four runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings this season. He threw five scoreless innings at Camden Yards on April 15, holding the Orioles to three hits.

Gleyber Torres, who had a bases-loaded triple last night, is 6-for-13 in his last five games after an 0-for-17 stretch. His three RBIs were the most since June 5, 2021 against the Red Sox.

Anthony Rizzo became the 24^th player in Yankees history last night to hit at least three home runs in a game. Eleven of his 17 hits this season are for extra bases – three doubles and eight home runs.

DJ LeMahieu is batting .391/.440/.522 (18-for-46) during his 12-game hitting streak.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is 15-for-37 (.405) in his last 11 games after a 1-for-17 start.

Giancarlo Stanton is batting .385/.434/.604 (35-for-91) with five doubles, five home runs and 22 RBIs in 22 games against the Orioles since 2020.

Aaron Judge and Boston’s J.D. Martinez have 27 career home runs against the Orioles, tied for most by a player against any opponent since 2017.

New York has won six of its last seven games and is 8-3 at home this month.