Baltimore Orioles fans are really looking for reasons to be optimistic right now. While the team had been playing better, but a tough loss to the Mets on Tuesday was a reminder that this is a Baltimore team that still has a long waysto go before they are firing on all cylinders again. Thankfully, Tuesday also brought some promising injury updates that could really help the cause.
The Orioles have had to not only deal with a pitching staff that was both under-supported by the front office and dealing with a number of injuries, but they also have been without one of the faces of the franchise in Adley Rutschman as he deals with an oblique injury.
Thankfully, it appears that both the Orioles' pitching staff and Rutschman appear to be on the mend with the latest injury update from the team.
More from #Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino:
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-Adley Rutschman (oblique) took dry swings today
-Kyle Bradish (Tommy John) has thrown 2 live BP sessions in Florida, expected to have another and then potentially begin rehab assignment
-Tyler Wells (UCL repair) live BP soon
Orioles Injury Update: Adley Rutschman taking swings, Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells progressing in rehab
Oblique injuries are notoriously finicky, but that Rutschman is taking dry swings is a good sign. Given how much Rutschman struggled at the plate before he got here, and the fact that catching is particularly tough on the human body, the Orioles are going to be cautious with him and perhaps give him a lengthy rehab assignment once he is ready.
The news on Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells may be even more encouraging. Both Bradish and Wells are coming back from long-term absences after elbow surgeries, but both should return at some point this season. Bradish has already thrown two live batting practice sessions and will start his rehab assignment in the minors once he makes it through one more BP without any issues. Wells hasn't progressed to throwing live BP yet, but is expected to do so very soon.
If Bradish and Wells return soon and pitch well, the prognosis for the Orioles' pitching staff improves significantly. However, an actual turnaround for Baltimore likely hinges on Rutschman returning and being the stud that Orioles fans thought he was on track to be.