Mansolino on Bradish: “Obviously, he’s been miserable not being able to help us this year"

The Orioles probably will wait until Wednesday morning to announce that night’s starter against the Red Sox. However, they confirmed earlier today that Kyle Bradish is getting the ball Tuesday night in his return from ligament-reconstructive surgery.

Bradish completed his rehab assignment, which lasted six appearances, and finally makes his return from his procedure in June 2024.

“It’s exciting,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “Obviously, he’s been miserable not being able to help us this year. Been very miserable, kind of watching this thing and how it’s gone, and he finally gets a chance to help. But just really excited, too, for (head athletic trainer) Scott Barringer and (head strength and conditioning coach) Trey Wiedman, our strength staff, (pitching coach) Drew French, all the people. It’s such a hands-on … and there’s so much work that goes into getting guys back from these Tommy John rehabs, among the other injuries. It’s an organizational win getting him out there tomorrow.”

Expectations will be kept at a reasonable level with Bradish returning from such a long layoff to face major league hitters.

“Guys coming back from Tommy John, we just saw (Shane) Bieber I think in Toronto have a nice one, a really good one, and that’s probably the type of profile that Kyle has in a lot of ways,” Mansolino said. “We’ve seen guys of that high of a profile have clunkers, too, the first couple times, but eventually they get going. And I think over time we’ll see Kyle get back to being Kyle.”

The Orioles naturally will be careful with Bradish’s pitch count.

“We would like to build up innings,” Mansolino said, “but if you guys see him going out for the eighth in the first one, that’s probably not a good thing.”

Healthy starters can’t turn around the season, but the Orioles should benefit from having Bradish and Tyler Wells building some innings before next spring training and the 2026 campaign. Wells will be reinstated after rosters expand Sept. 1.

“I do think it’s valuable,” Mansolino said. “I don’t know what this is going to line up to – six, seven, eight starts, hopefully. Probably not that. But it’s a really big deal. And just the confidence and being able to have a normal offseason coming up. I think when guys go through injuries, there’s always a lot of self-doubt. Are you gonna be good enough when you come back? Well, he’s gonna answer that question for himself over the next month-plus here, and T. Wells, too.

“So just excited for those guys, excited for Albert Suárez, who’s not that far off, either. It’s gonna be really good for the three of them.”

Suárez tossed five scoreless innings in his last start on his rehab assignment but will be limited to one inning in his next appearance. He’s headed to the bullpen.

Jordan Westburg is eligible to return from his right ankle sprain on Friday but is expected to remain on the injured list until the Orioles return from their West Coast trip on Sept. 5.

“He just ran outside, ran good, maybe a little bit ginger in some ways,” Mansolino said.

"It's an inside sprain. Inside sprains, as I'm learning, are very different from an outside sprain."

Jackson Holliday returns to the leadoff spot tonight, with Colton Cowser moving down to sixth. Dylan Beavers is on the bench.

Jeremiah Jackson is in right field and Dylan Carlson is in left. Luis Vázquez is at third base.

For the Orioles

Jackson Holliday 2B
Jeremiah Jackson RF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Coby Mayo 1B
Colton Cowser CF
Samuel Basallo C
Dylan Carlson LF
Luis Vázquez 3B

Tomoyuki Sugano RHP

For the Red Sox

Roman Anthony RF
Alex Bregman 3B
Jarren Duran LF
Trevor Story SS
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Masataka Yoshida DH
Ceddanne Rafaela CF
David Hamilton 2B
Connor Wong C

Brennan Bernardino LHP