Orioles right-hander Kyle Bradish is confirmed to start Tuesday night for the first time since June 14, 2024.

Bradish hasn’t faced the Red Sox since Oct. 1, 2013, when he was shortened to two innings before the playoffs.

Those were good times for Bradish, but he received a platelet-rich plasma injection in the elbow in January 2024 and lasted eight starts before undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Bradish had posted a 2.75 ERA and 1.068 WHIP in 39 1/3 innings after placing fourth in American League Cy Young voting the previous season. He struck out 53 batters.

The Orioles deemed Bradish ready after he made six starts and totaled 22 innings on his rehab assignment.

A season that might be the most disappointing in franchise history – it’s certainly in the discussion and ignores each time 2018 wants it to hold a beer – won’t define the future of the Orioles organization.

Every player, coach, instructor front office member and team employee expresses confidence in a major bounce back in 2026. Control owner David Rubenstein waited for executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias to finish an answer Saturday at catcher Samuel Basallo’s press conference and chimed in with his thoughts on the season and what lies ahead.

“We had some bad luck this year, obviously,” he said. “Health challenges were more severe than anybody could have ever predicted. Our players, when we have our best team on the field and they’re healthy, I think we’re as good as anybody in baseball. We just need to stay healthy, and hopefully we can be healthier next year. We’ve got some really good other projects under way. I think people are going to be really happy in Baltimore with what we field next year.”

Catcher Adley Rutschman knows disappointment. He’s roomed with it. They order DoorDash and binge Netflix.

Rutschman is as qualified as anyone to talk about it, with his first two career stops on the injured list due to left and right oblique strains and a .227/.310/.373 line in 85 games. His run of All-Star selections ended at two in a row. And he might not get another at-bat this season until he heals faster than his first shutdown.

The face, name and delivery were familiar. Had to be Trevor Rogers. Just block out the traffic on the bases and it made sense.

Rogers allowed a hit on his first pitch today, walked two batters in the third inning, committed a balk and surrendered the tying run. When the bar is set to near perfection, the hiccups are jolting.

In this magical season for Rogers, he can slip below his usual standards and conjure up a win. He can struggle a little and still skimp on the runs.

Rogers lowered his ERA to 1.40 with one run allowed in his fifth consecutive start, and the Orioles avoided a sweep with a 3-2 victory over the Astros before an announced crowd of 19,746 at Camden Yards. Their record is 60-70.

Astros starter Spencer Arrighetti retired 15 batters in a row before Gunnar Henderson’s two-out single in the sixth inning. Henderson stole second and third base to give him 19, and he scored when Ryan Mountcastle poked a sinker into right field for a 2-1 lead.

The Orioles’ injured list swelled to 15 players but is going to lose some weight with Kyle Bradish’s return this week to the active roster. A few more names are dropping off.

Catcher Adley Rutschman is trying to be among them.

Rutschman strained his right oblique and won’t be reinstated when eligible Thursday. However, he intends to play again next month.

“That’s the plan and I’m working as hard as I can to come back as soon as possible,” he said.

Rutschman missed five weeks with the same injury on his left side.

Colton Cowser, who’s homered in back-to-back games, is leading off today for the fifth time this season.

Jackson Holliday is on the bench.

Jeremiah Jackson is in right field and batting second. Ryan Mountcastle is at first base and Samuel Basallo is the designated hitter. Vimael Machín is at third base again.

Dylan Beavers is in left field. Over his first seven games, Beavers is hitting .500 against fastballs and has made contact with 95.7 percent.

Jackson is 14-for-34 (.412) in his last nine games.

The schedule delivers another day game after a night game. And maybe another round of Samuel Basallo stories.

Just playing the odds here.

Basallo has been the center of attention for his major league promotion, early RBI binge, agreement on the most lucrative contract extension for a pre-arbitration catcher and yesterday’s press conference to talk about it.

“Wonderful day for us,” said executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias, “and we look forward to working with Sam for a very, very long time, and hopefully leading us to much success and many championships during his time here.”

Maybe in 2026.

The Orioles bailed out Dean Kremer tonight, which was the first order of business. Battle back twice to tie. Conclude his frustrating night with no decision. Try to win a game in the series and go for the split on Sunday.

They couldn’t complete the mission.

Christian Walker hit a two-run homer off left-hander Dietrich Enns in the seventh inning and the Astros hung on for a 9-8 victory over the Orioles before an announced crowd of 30,159 at Camden Yards.

Walker mashed a changeup 414 feet to left field with two outs, extending his home run streak to three games in a row. The Orioles (59-70) have lost three straight after winning six of seven. They didn't lose their 70th last year until Sept. 22.

Jeremiah Jackson hit his first major league home run in the fourth inning, a 439-foot shot to center field that reduced the lead to 7-6. Colton Cowser followed his two-run single in the first with a solo homer in the fifth off AJ Blubaugh that knotted the score.

The support that teammates showed for young Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo earlier today at his news conference didn’t surprise interim manager Tony Mansolino. He knew that players would arrive early at the ballpark and fill out rows of seats. He knew that the camaraderie would be on display again.

The media just happened to be there.

“I think externally it’s probably great to see it,” Mansolino said. “I think internally we know how it is. Though thick and thin, through the winning, the losing, the injuries, through the negativity this year, through all the bad stuff this year, it’s stayed like that. This is a group that’s won a lot of games the last couple years. They didn’t do it because they’re bad dudes or because they don’t get along with each other. It’s quite the opposite.

“Not surprising for you guys to probably see it. Probably good to see it for you guys. Probably expected more from me.”

Shortstop Gunnar Henderson sat on one of the chairs in the middle of the room and joked about borrowing a reporters digital recorder and asking a question. This was a day to celebrate, to have fun. A nice distraction, too, from back-to-back losses to begin the homestand.

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said there’s “a good chance” that Kyle Bradish starts Tuesday night against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

Bradish hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since June 14, 2024, before undergoing Tommy John surgery. He’s completed an injury rehab assignment.

“Still working through that,” Mansolino said of his pitching plans.

Tyler Wells has one more start to make on his assignment, staying with Triple-A Norfolk for Wednesday’s game in Gwinnett, and he’s going to join the rotation after Sept. 1. He won’t go to the bullpen.

Wells hasn’t pitched for the Orioles since April 12, 2024. He also had an elbow-reconstructive procedure.

One by one they began to file into the auxiliary clubhouse that serves as a formal interview room at Camden Yards. Orioles employees, coaches, interim manager Tony Mansolino and a large contingent of players.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias sat next to control owner David Rubenstein. At the other end of the table was Koby Pérez, the Orioles’ vice president of international scouting and operations. And in between Elias and Pérez sat the 21-year-old catcher with the very mature salary.

The celebration of Samuel Basallo’s eight-year extension, complete with $5 million signing bonus, escalators and club option for 2034 that brings the total package to $88.5 million, continued this afternoon with a press conference. A game will be played later tonight, but the Basallo news dwarfs anything else that’s happening.

Teammates in attendance included Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Ryan Mountcastle, Dean Kremer, Tyler O’Neill, Coby Mayo, Colton Cowser, Alex Jackson, Brandon Young, Dietrich Enns and Matt Bowman. Most of them sat next to or behind the media members who normally occupy the room.

About half of those players could be under consideration for similar treatment down the road.

Samuel Basallo has been a major leaguer for less than a week and he’s on a record pace.

Basallo was the first player signed and developed by the Orioles’ new international program to reach the majors. He became only the second player to record an RBI in his first three games and to collect five over that same period. And most stunning, of course, is his distinction as the first to receive a contract extension of four-plus years under executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias.

It wasn’t Adley Rutschman or Gunnar Henderson or Jackson Holliday or Colton Cowser or Jordan Westburg or Coby Mayo or Dylan Beavers.

It was the kid who just turned 21 and made his debut on Sunday.

Maybe the organization’s plan is to start with the youngest and work its way up.

The 21-year-old catching phenom signs an eight-year contract extension less than a week after his major league debut. Two more players go on the injured list.

Just another day in the life of the Orioles, who can bounce from unpredictable to monotonous in a matter of seconds.

They had to play the latest game on their schedule, the 128^th this season, and lost to the Astros 10-7 before an announced crowd of 24,224 at Camden Yards.

After claiming three series in a row for the first time, the best they can do against Houston is a split. Dean Kremer starts Saturday night.

Colton Cowser hit his 10^th home run in the seventh inning to reduce Houston’s lead to 7-6, the ball traveling 417 feet to right field at 108.3 mph. Reliever Enyel De Los Santos left a fastball over the middle of the plate and regretted it.

The Orioles put rookie Brandon Young on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with a strained left hamstring and selected reliever Matt Bowman’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. A short time later, interim manager Tony Mansolino announced that infielder Jordan Westburg was going on the 10-day IL with a sprained right ankle.

So much for Westburg’s day-to-day status.

Infielder Vimael Machín had his contract selected after spending yesterday on the 24-hour medical taxi squad, and he’s wearing No. 65. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 with the Athletics.

Closer Félix Bautista and catcher Gary Sánchez were transferred to the 60-day IL to create openings on the 40-man roster.

Machín will be the 63^rd player used if he gets into a game, breaking the franchise record of 62 set in 2021. He’s played in 105 games with the Tides and is batting .287/.346/.475 with 25 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was 7-for-13 with three doubles over three games before going 0-for-5 on Sunday.

The Orioles are venturing into new territory by extending one of their young stars, and it turns out to be catcher Samuel Basallo.

The club has reached agreement with Basallo on an eight-year deal worth $67 million that also includes a club option for 2034 and escalators that make the total package worth $88.5 million. He received a $5 million signing bonus after passing his physical earlier today.

The contract represents the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher in major league history. And it goes to the No. 1 prospect in the organization, who turned 21 years old earlier this month and played in his fourth career game last night, and first at home.

Basallo is ranked as the No. 4 prospect overall by ESPN. Baseball America has him seventh and MLB Pipeline eighth.

The Orioles signed Basallo out of the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million in 2021, their largest bonus internationally at that time. He finally was promoted to the majors on Sunday in Houston, a day after outfielder Dylan Beavers, the No. 3 prospect in the system.

Orioles reliever Keegan Akin was on an injury rehab assignment in the minors, like so many of his teammates this season, when he first heard about it.

Closer Félix Bautista informed the club in the seventh inning of a July 23 game in Cleveland that he couldn’t pitch. Interim manager Tony Mansolino heard someone slam the dugout phone and knew immediately that the call was troubling. Akin had the same feeling about 500 miles away in Allentown, Pa.

The only information shared by the club pertained to discomfort in the right shoulder that Mansolino described as “significant.” The Orioles didn’t downplay it, but tears in both the rotator cuff and labrum were jolting.

“I didn’t really have an idea, honestly,” Akin said. “It happened when I was on a rehab and I just heard that it wasn’t good, and from the explanation when it happened, they weren’t quite sure what it was. That’s why I think it took so long and a few extra doctor’s appointments to make sure. It’s one of those things, you’ve got to make sure what’s going on there. It’s a pretty serious injury.

“Definitely a little surprised there. It’s just unfortunate.”

Brandon Young couldn’t duplicate the drama.

Young was perfect for 7 2/3 innings in Houston, returned home tonight and allowed a hit and home run among his first four batters. The Astros didn’t let the rookie get on another roll.

Christian Walker’s two-run shot with two outs in the first inning was followed by Carlos Correa’s two-run single in the second. Houston scored three times in the third before Young retired a batter, and the Orioles stayed down in a 7-2 loss before an announced crowd of 18,061 at Camden Yards.

Young was charged with seven runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings and exited after covering first base to retire Jacob Melton on a ground ball to Coby Mayo leading off the sixth. Young came down hard on his left leg, began limping past the bag, and interim manager Tony Mansolino removed him and called for reliever Yaramil Hiraldo.

The club announced that Young had left hamstring discomfort. Depending on the severity of the injury, he could be the starter who steps aside for Kyle Bradish’s return next week.

One day after Orioles closer Félix Bautista underwent surgery to repair the rotator cuff and labrum in his right shoulder, catcher Adley Rutschman landed on the injured list again with a strained oblique and might not return in 2025.

The hits keep coming in the most negative manner.

Rutschman was scratched from Tuesday’s lineup in Boston with discomfort in his right side. He hadn’t played since Sunday in Houston.

This is the opposite side from Rutschman’s previous strain, which led to his first career stop on the injured list and cost him five weeks of the season.

Asked whether Rutschman could be out for the rest of the summer, interim manager Tony Mansolino replied, “Hard to speculate on that.”

Orioles catcher Adley Ruschman is on the injured list for the second time this season and in his career. 

Rutschman has a strained right oblique, which is the opposite side of his previous injury. He missed about five weeks the last time and is questionable to return next month. Interim manager Tony Mansolino said it's a "mild" strain.

Outfielder Daniel Johnson was activated from the taxi squad to replace Rutschman.

Mansolino said rookie Samuel Basallo will be the everyday catcher. The Orioles play eight games on this homestand and Basallo could catch five or six.

Infielder Jordan Westburg remains day-to-day with a sore right ankle. The discomfort has lessened, which brings optimism that he can avoid the IL. 

The Orioles return from their off-day to begin a four-game series against the Astros at Camden Yards, with questions lingering about a couple of players who weren’t available Tuesday night in Boston.

Infielder Jordan Westburg exited Monday’s game in the first inning with discomfort in his right ankle after stumbling as he rounded second base. He hadn’t received X-rays and the club intended to reevaluate him today.

Triple-A Norfolk infielder Vimael Machín is on the 24-hour medical taxi squad again, in case Westburg goes on the injured list for a second time. Machín has played in 105 games with the Tides and is batting .287/.346/.475 with 25 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was 7-for-13 with three doubles over three games before going 0-for-5 on Sunday.

Machín, who’s hitting .297/.352/.505 against right-handers, also was on the medical taxi squad Aug. 6 in Philadelphia due to Tyler O’Neill’s right wrist soreness. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 with the Athletics.

The Orioles have 39 players on the 40-man roster. Three catchers are part of the 26-man active roster with Rutschman joined by Samuel Basallo and Alex Jackson.

By winning a third consecutive series against teams that appear to be playoff bound, the Orioles actually moved from 10 to 8 ½ games out of the final Wild Card spot going into their off-day. They passed the Twins and have only six teams ahead of them.

Only. A reminder that the task is daunting. Pray for a baseball miracle.

Anyone who says “stranger things have happened” should be challenged to start naming them.

The Orioles are 43-33 since toting that grotesque 16-34 record. They could spend the entire offseason stretching out hamstrings by kicking themselves for the slow start. They fell into a nearly impossible position but are being stubborn, winning six of their last seven games and moving eight below .500 for the first time since July 29.

They’re also living rent-free in the heads of fans who can’t believe that their teams are losing to the last-place Orioles. The venting on social media is intense, and it’s spreading to the national media. The Ringer’s Bill Simmons, with his 5.4 million followers on X, simply posted, “The Orioles can F off.”