Young: "There was good, there was bad, but first year, learn some things"

The expanded roster next month also lengthens the rotation to include a sixth starter, right-hander Tyler Wells, who pitched last night for Triple-A Norfolk on his rehab assignment and allowed two runs in 6 1/3 innings.

He’s stretched out to 90 pitches. Turn him loose.

The Orioles will ride with Wells, Trevor Rogers, Kyle Bradish, Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano and Cade Povich. They apparently won’t deviate from the plan unless there’s an injury. Extra rest for everyone.

Brandon Young didn’t want to go on an extended break, but he’ll have to settle for his 12 major league starts this season and flirting with perfection in Houston. The final count shows more lows than highs, which explains his 6.24 ERA and 1.543 WHIP, but also the valuable experience and exposure that can elevate his game in 2026.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino said Young got “a lot” out of his time with the Orioles, which was cut short by a strained left hamstring.

“He kind of found out how his stuff plays in the big leagues,” Mansolino said about an hour after the Orioles transferred Young to the 60-day injured list.

“I think he found out that locating the fastball is a really big deal. I think he found out that having weapons to right-handed and left-handed hitters is a really big deal. When you’re down in Triple-A, you have no idea how your stuff is gonna play up here. You’ve got to get here and figure it out.

“He had some really nice starts, one against the Mets, obviously the one against the Astros, and he’s gonna be able to say, ‘In these two starts I did this and I had success, and then in my other ones that weren’t as successful, this is why.’”

Young had his moment in the sun on an August night at Daikin Park, where the Texas native retired the first 23 batters as family and friends cheered every strike and every out. He tossed eight scoreless innings with only one hit allowed, an infield single by former Oriole Ramón Urías.

The rematch in Baltimore was one-sided the other way, with Young allowing seven runs and nine hits in 5 1/3 innings. He limped off the field after covering first base on a ground ball to Coby Mayo and won’t throw another pitch in 2025.

“Yeah, it’s very frustrating,” he said yesterday at his locker. “Didn’t want to see it end this way, but starting to focus on some things for next year, and just put my body and arm in a good spot to just get healthy.”

Young has replayed that ground ball in his mind, how he broke for the bag, came down hard on his left leg and felt the pain in his hamstring.

“I thought I needed to book it and get there a little earlier, and I think I had a little more time,” he said. “I don’t want to second-guess it at all, but yeah, it sucks. I thought I was gonna get through that sixth inning and make it a decent outing. Like I said, frustrating.”

The Orioles promoted Young for his debut on April 19 against the Reds. He made two starts that month, allowing six runs and 11 hits with eight walks in 8 2/3 innings, returned on June 25 and was optioned two days later.

Injuries kept presenting opportunities, and Young was recalled again June 30 after Zach Eflin went on the IL with lower back discomfort. The inconsistencies remained with Young, who held the Mets to two runs in 5 1/3 frames and twirled an immaculate inning, the Blue Jays to two runs in six innings, and the Cubs to a pair of unearned runs in 4 2/3, but also allowed a combined 20 over 12 2/3 against the Marlins, Athletics and Astros.

“It’s tough,” he said. “I look at more of the bad than the good, but I’ve just got to look at it from a levelheaded standpoint. There was good, there was bad, but first year, learn some things. Just looking forward to being on the mound again.”

Other starters on the club propped up Young anytime he began to feel down.

“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “They all have. They all expressed that it will get better one day. Never want to end a season like that, but looking forward to the next one.”

Young should be in a more advantageous spot next year based on the handful of successful outings that showed the club how his stuff can play at this level. The pitching department will send him home with a plan for attacking certain weaknesses, including splits that had left-handers batting .315 with a .935 OPS against him.

The assumption is that Young will be recovered in about six weeks and have a normal offseason. 

“Kind of know what I need to do, how I need to approach spring training, and having to get my arm in better shape,” he said. “I just know I need to get a little stronger in some aspects of my delivery and just working on the pitch mix.

“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself, but just focus on each day. Try to get healthy, have a good offseason. I’m looking forward to it.”

Bradish should break camp slotted first or second in the rotation, depending on Mike Elias’ offseason work. Rogers, Kremer and Povich will return, and at least one starter likely will be added. Elias could aim high again, as he did with Corbin Burnes. Wells could start or relieve. Trey Gibson, the No. 12 prospect in the system per MLB Pipeline, is in Triple-A and should fight for a job down in Florida.

“Gonna be some competition for sure,” Young said, “but I know what I need to do to get myself in that position.”