Injuries & Moves: Wells undergoes UCL repair surgery
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June 17: RHP Tyler Wells undergoes right UCL revision surgery and internal brace augmentation
Wells underwent season-ending surgery at Trinity Park Surgery Center in Arlington, Texas, where the operation was performed by Dr. Keith Meister. The 29-year-old right-hander did not get a second Tommy John surgery, which he previously had done on his right UCL in May 2019.
June 17: RHP Nick Avila claimed off waivers from Giants, optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, placed on 7-day Minor League IL (right shoulder impingement)
Avila got his first taste of the big leagues earlier this year, recording an 8.49 ERA over eight relief appearances for San Francisco. The 26-year-old right-hander had a 6.75 ERA in eight relief outings for Triple-A Sacramento this season.
The Orioles' 40-man roster is now full.
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
RHP Dean Kremer (right triceps strain)
Expected return: Late June
Kremer made a rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on June 16, when he allowed five runs (two earned) in 3 2/3 innings vs. Memphis. The 28-year-old right-hander gave up four hits, issued one walk and recorded three strikeouts in his return to game action.
The Orioles expect Kremer to rejoin their rotation in the near future, although it has not yet been determined if he'll need additional rehab outings. Kremer was placed on the 15-day IL on May 24 (retroactive to May 21), becoming the fifth O's starter to spend time on the injured list this season. According to manager Brandon Hyde, Kremer reported soreness in his triceps after the fourth inning of his start against the Cardinals on May 20. (Last updated: June 17)
RHP Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
Wells underwent right UCL repair surgery with internal brace augmentation on June 17. 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 placed on the IL on April 16. (Last updated: June 17)
RHP Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain)
Expected return: TBD
Bradish has battled elbow trouble all year. His first right UCL sprain was sustained in January and delayed the start of his season until early May. About six weeks later, Bradish experienced elbow discomfort during his June 14 start against the Phillies, exiting that game after five innings.
As of June 15, Bradish had not yet undergone adequate testing to gauge the full scope of the issue, but the Orioles are preparing for the talented right-hander to be sidelined for a significant period of time. He was placed on the 15-day IL on June 15. (Last updated: June 15)
INF Jackson Holliday (right elbow inflammation; No. 1 on Orioles' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: TBD
The Orioles announced on June 14 that MLB Pipeline's No. 1 overall prospect was being placed on Triple-A Norfolk's injured list with right elbow inflammation. The injury is not expected to be serious and will provide the 20-year-old Holliday with extra rest.
“Hopeful that it’s not a big deal. His elbow’s barking, basically,” general manager Mike Elias said during the MASN broadcast on June 14. “We got it looked at, we had some tests done. At this time, there’s nothing that we’re planning on doing other than resting it.
“Hopefully, it’s more of a week or two or three kind of thing, but I don’t want to put anything on it right now timeline-wise. Guys play long seasons of baseball, and their arms flare up from time to time, and that’s what it looks like with him.” (Last updated: June 14)
LHP Danny Coulombe (left elbow inflammation)
Expected return: TBD
Coulombe experienced soreness in his left elbow while playing catch on June 10, leading to the decision to place the 34-year-old southpaw on the 15-day injured list the next day (retroactive to June 9). He had been the Orioles' best left-handed reliever this season, recording a 2.42 ERA and a 0.62 WHIP over 29 appearances.
Manager Brandon Hyde said Coulombe is scheduled to undergo further testing, but the club is optimistic that the injury won't be a long-term issue. Coulombe expressed the same sentiment on June 12, when he shared he had undergone an MRI and doesn't believe the ailment is something that will lead to Tommy John surgery.
"We’re pretty optimistic about it. It’s not the one you guys are thinking about," Coulombe said. (Last updated: June 12)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
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)