Orioles news: southpaw pitcher undergoes surgery

One of the Orioles depth pitchers underwent offseason surgery on Thursday

Feb 27, 2023; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bruce Zimmermann (50) throws a pitch during a spring training game
Feb 27, 2023; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Bruce Zimmermann (50) throws a pitch during a spring training game | Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

It's become a widely known fact that players across the league are dealing with any kind of lingering injuries as the regular season winds down and the playoffs get ready to begin. That was the case in Baltimore, and a case of it has been revealed.

The Orioles announced on Thursday that left handed pitcher Bruce Zimmermann underwent core muscle surgery in Philadelphia, conducted by Dr. Alex Poor. Zimmermann finished off his fourth season of playing in the major leagues when the Orioles regular season ended. He was not included on the ALDS roster against the Texas Rangers.

Orioles pitcher Bruce Zimmermann undergoes offseason surgery

As the Orioles themselves announced the news, we don't have any more information regarding the type of injury that required the surgery or how it was sustained. The good news is that Zimmermann is expected to be ready for the start of Spring Training in February in Sarasota, Florida.

The 6'1'' lefty spent most of 2023 with Triple A Norfolk, but did receive multiple call ups to the big club this year. He appeared in seven games, all out of the bullpen, pitching 13 1/3 innings. He allowed eight runs and three home runs in those 13 1/3 innings.

Zimmermann made his major league debut on June 3 against the San Francisco Giants, pitching two scoreless innings. That served as one of his three scoreless appearances of the season. He pitched in five games in June, one in July, and one in September.

Over parts of four big league seasons, Zimmermann has had a shaky tenure in the majors. Across 27 starts and 11 relief appearances, he has a 5.57 ERA, 5.68 FIP, and 1.459 WHIP, averaging 2.3 home runs per nine and 11.1 hits per nine in 158 1/3 innings.

The Orioles will have the starting rotation as a main priority this offseason. Trade deadline acquisition Jack Flaherty and veteran righty Kyle Gibson will become free agents after the World Series. Four rotation spots appear to be settled, leaving some combination of Cole Irvin, Zimmermann, and possibly Tyler Wells and DL Hall in the mix for that spot, barring any outside additions.

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