TAMPA -- Kyle Bradish will take a big step in his recovery from Tommy John surgery this week.
Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino announced prior to Sunday’s series finale vs. the Rays that Bradish is scheduled to make a rehab start for High-A Aberdeen on Thursday. It will be the first time the 28-year-old right-hander pitches in a game since June 14, 2024.
Bradish will likely pitch multiple innings in Aberdeen’s matchup vs. Winston-Salem at Ripken Stadium. He is coming off a two-inning session of live batting practice on Saturday at the O's Spring Training complex in Sarasota, Fla.
Baltimore’s rotation has sorely missed Bradish (along with fellow injured righty Grayson Rodriguez) during its injury-marred 2025 season. The O’s 5.18 rotation ERA entering Sunday ranked 29th in MLB, ahead of only the Rockies (6.09).
During a year in which 25 Orioles players have spent time on the injured list, Mansolino doesn’t want to look too far ahead in anybody’s rehab progression. But it’s hard not to be eager about being this close to a potential return for Bradish.
“Just cautiously optimistic, excited for him,” Mansolino said. “Excited to see him go through it. He’s doing a great job. He’s a really important part of this organization.”
Bradish sustained a right UCL sprain in January 2024, which he tried to pitch through after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection. He began the '24 season on the IL before joining Baltimore’s rotation in May.
Despite the injury, Bradish pitched to a 2.75 ERA over eight starts. He even threw seven hitless innings during an 11-strikeout outing vs. the White Sox in Chicago on May 26, 2024.
“Those starts were important to the 2024 Baltimore Orioles,” Mansolino said. “They helped that team get into the playoffs.”
However, Bradish’s five-inning, two-run start against the Phillies on June 14 of last year ended up being his last of the season. He underwent Tommy John surgery on June 19.
When Bradish is at his best, he can serve as the ace of the Orioles’ staff. During his breakout 2023 season, the Peoria, Ariz., native finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award voting after recording a 2.83 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 30 starts. He racked up 168 strikeouts in 168 1/3 innings.
It’s possible the O’s will be well out of postseason contention by the time Bradish returns to Baltimore, which likely won’t happen until the second half of August. But he is expected to be a big part of the 2026 rotation, so any starts he can make this year will be valuable as he’ll look to establish some positive momentum to carry into next season.