Baltimore Orioles 2024 opening day roster projection 2.0

How does the brutal news of Kyle Bradish's UCL sprain affect the Orioles heading into Opening Day?

Baltimore Orioles Photo Day
Baltimore Orioles Photo Day / Kevin C. Cox/GettyImages
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The Baltimore Orioles have not made any significant roster moves since we published Baltimore Orioles opening day roster projection 1.0, with fringe players Nick Maton, Diego Castillo, Kaleb Ort, and Matt Krook joining the Orioles down in Sarasota. What sparked the need for Projection 2.0 was the disappointing news that the 2023 team's best pitcher, Kyle Bradish, had sustained a sprained UCL and could miss a large chunk of the season. Along with losing Bradish for an indecipherable amount of time, the Orioles also announced that projected number four starter John Means would start the year on the IL.

The bliss Orioles fans felt after the team acquired Corbin Burnes to fill out the rotation lasted all of two weeks. Early spring injuries reared their ugly head, and the Orioles were left searching for starting pitching. A familiar theme of the last two offseasons.

Against this backdrop, let's dive into Projection 2.0.

Catchers: Adley Rutschman, James McCann (2)

Adley Rutschman
Boston Red Sox v Baltimore Orioles / Brandon Sloter/GettyImages

No changes here from version 1.0 to 2.0. Barring injury, Rutschman and McCann will open the season as the Orioles' two catchers.

But can you imagine? As disappointing as the Bradish news was, it would be hard to imagine a more devastating injury to the Baltimore Orioles than losing Adley Rutschman. How critical health is and will be to this team's success cannot be understated. Let's hope Rutschman and McCann have a completely healthy 2024 season.