Orioles To Move To Six-Man Rotation

"The Orioles will go to a six-man rotation next week, interim manager Tony Mansolino tells reporters (including Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun). Tyler Wells made his final rehab start tonight to complete his return from May 2024 elbow surgery. Wells threw 6 1/3 frames of two-run ball on 90 pitches for Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore will reinstate Wells from the 60-day injured list next week. Active rosters expand on September 1, so the O's can stick with an eight-man bullpen while running a six-man rotation."

"Wells, 31, flashed back-of-the-rotation ability before his injury. He had his best season in 2023. The righty turned in a career-low 3.64 earned run average across 118 2/3 innings. Wells fanned a quarter of opponents with a solid 7.2% walk rate. He surrendered almost two home runs per nine frames, however, and was the beneficiary of a depressed .200 batting average on balls in play."

"Wells will probably make four starts to finish the season. That should position him for a normal offseason as he prepares to battle for a rotation spot next spring. Wells is making $2.075MM this season; he'll be paid a similar amount next year in his second trip through arbitration. He's controllable through 2027."

Tyler Wells completed his final rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk, throwing 6 1/3 innings and allowing two runs on 90 pitches, and will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list next week. Baltimore will shift to a six-man rotation to accommodate Wells while retaining an eight-man bullpen until rosters expand on September 1. The rotation move gives extra rest to Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Tomoyuki Sugano, Cade Povich and Dean Kremer; Bradish recently returned from elbow surgery. Wells posted a 3.64 ERA in 2023 across 118 2/3 innings with a 25% strikeout rate and a 7.2% walk rate, but nearly 2.0 HR/9 and a .200 BABIP. He is expected to make about four starts to finish the season, will earn $2.075MM this year and remains controllable through 2027.

Read at MLB Trade Rumors