masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgRight-hander Branden Kline, the Orioles’ second-round draft pick last June out of the University of Virginia, is having surgery today to repair a right ankle/fibula fracture.

The recovery time after the procedure is six to eight weeks, so the Orioles remain hopeful he can return to pitch this year.

Orioles orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will perform the surgery. Kline was injured, not in a game, but during conditioning drills between starts.

Kline, from Thomas Johnson High in Frederick, was…Right-hander Branden Kline, the Orioles’ second-round draft pick last June out of the University of Virginia, is having surgery today to repair a right ankle/fibula fracture.

The recovery time after the procedure is six to eight weeks, so the Orioles remain hopeful he can return to pitch this year.

Orioles orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens will perform the surgery. Kline was injured, not in a game, but during conditioning drills between starts.

Kline, from Thomas Johnson High in Frederick, was the 65th overall selection in the 2012 June draft.

This season for Single-A Delmarva, he was 1-2 with a 5.86 ERA in seven starts. Over 35 1/3 innings, he had allowed 41 hits with 14 walks and 32 strikeouts.

After the Orioles drafted him last June, his college coach at Virginia, Brian O’Connor, provided this scouting report on Kline.