Orioles place Branden Kline on 40-man roster

Pitcher Branden Kline's return from Tommy John surgery and multiple setbacks has taken him all the way to the Orioles' 40-man roster, with the possibility of further advancement in the coming months.

It's been quite a journey.

Kline, a Frederick native and second-round pick in the 2012 draft out of the University of Virginia, missed almost three full seasons before making a major breakthrough in the minors. He posted a 1.64 ERA with 17 saves in 65 2/3 innings while splitting the summer between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. Kline walked only 18 batters and struck out 71.

The Orioles were tempted to select Kline's contract in September and make him part of their expanded roster, but decided to shut him down rather than pile on more innings. He totaled only 39 1/3 in 2015 before the October surgery on his right elbow.

Kline moved to the bullpen this year, stayed healthy and held Eastern League opponents to a .199 average over 45 innings. His fastball velocity climbed back into the upper 90s, though he wasn't solely dependent on it.

Kline, who turned 27 in September, could have become a minor league free agent later this week, which hastened his inclusion on the 40-man roster. The Orioles intended to protect him in the Rule 5 draft and can wait on other players, including pitcher Dillion Tate and catcher Martin Cervenka, the latter already re-signed to a minor league deal.

The 40-man roster had an opening after outfielder Adam Jones became a free agent yesterday. Room will be created again, perhaps later this week, with players on the 60-day disabled list needing to be activated.

"Staying healthy was one of the biggest keys for Branden, but he pitched extremely well," said director of player development Brian Graham. "His fastball averaged over 95 mph this year, he threw strikes. He only had 18 walks in 65 2/3 innings. He pitched to a 1.64 ERA. He pitched outstanding, commanded the baseball.

"In almost every game he pitched in was a tough situation. He pitched at the end of the game, he pitched in the eighth and ninth innings. So overall, he had a great year."

Kline required multiple cleanup procedures on his elbow following a surgery he desperately tried to avoid, a platelet-rich plasma injection failing to alleviate the issue. His story is as much about perseverance as production.

"I think his last outing was in May of 2015, and to have him come back and not just be healthy but throw the ball so well, it really makes you feel good," Graham said. "And the fact that he's a great kid. Branden Kline is a great kid. He's worked extremely hard.

"(Minor league medical coordinator) Dave Walker did a great job with him down in Florida."

Kline is in the market for a new agent now that former representative Brodie Van Wagenen has been named Mets general manager.

Wagenen's replacement could be watching Kline at Camden Yards next summer.

"First time he's been healthy all year, and he had an unbelievable year, I thought," former Orioles manager Buck Showalter said back in September.

"I got to see a lot of tape of his games. That's real."