Kyle Bradish is set to take the mound for the Baltimore Orioles in Tuesday’s series opener against the Boston Red Sox, marking his return from Tommy John surgery in 2024.
Bradish hasn’t pitched in a game for more than a year after undergoing UCL reconstruction. He started 2024 late due to an arm injury and ultimately was shut down for the season for the procedure. When healthy, Bradish has shown he can be highly effective, but the road back from major elbow surgery is challenging, and his rehab numbers weren’t stellar. Across 22 minor league innings in his latest stint, he posted a 4.91 ERA. Still, the Orioles will lean on his previous track record as they weigh how much to push him.
The Red Sox will try to take advantage early if Bradish isn’t at full strength. Boston could exploit any early command issues or difficulty in locating his best pitches, especially if the Orioles’ bullpen woes become a factor. Baltimore’s relievers have had a rough season, carrying a 4.66 ERA that ranks 26th in the league, which could heighten the pressure on Bradish to get deep into the game or to string together early outs and limit high-leverage innings.
Bradish’s last minor league outing showed him stretched out, as he threw 89 pitches, though he did not complete six innings in that appearance. That means he’s lined up to be eased into his start pace, with his limit and usage likely to be monitored closely. If the Red Sox can drive up his pitch count early, they’ll gain a significant advantage in a game that could set the tone for the remainder of the series.
Historically, Bradish has excelled by sequencing his pitches to attack right-handed hitters. He leaned on a sinker early in counts to generate ground balls, and used a slider and curveball to miss bats later in his at-bats. Early minor league readings suggest his movement profiles remain similar to the last time he logged major league action, which bodes well for his ability to establish his mix and sequence during this return.
Questions linger about how aggressively Baltimore will push Bradish this season, particularly in a year where a postseason push feels unlikely. If the Red Sox jump on him early, Boston will be well positioned to capitalize over the remainder of the series. Still, Bradish’s return and the team’s ability to limit bullpen exposure could be a crucial factor in how the Orioles navigate this stretch.
What to watch
– Bradish’s early-season command and whether he can locate the sinker for early grounders.
– How long Baltimore sticks with him if the bullpen is taxed or if the game tightens late.
– The Orioles’ lineup’s ability to back Bradish with sustained offense to ease bullpen pressure.
Summary
Bradish’s return from major elbow surgery is one of the more anticipated storylines in this series. If he can establish his fastball command and secondary pitches, he could anchor a rotation that will be tested by a shaky bullpen. For the Red Sox, early scoring would position them to control the tempo of the series, while for Baltimore, the victory hinges on managing Bradish’s workload and keeping the bullpen from becoming the deciding factor.
Bonus: A hopeful note — if Bradish can settle in and the bullpen tightens up as the season progresses, Baltimore could gain valuable depth and post-season momentum from this return, providing a storyline of resilience and growth regardless of immediate results.