Orioles' Kyle Bradish goes back on the injured list with more elbow problems

BALTIMORE (AP) — The Baltimore Orioles are dealing with another injury to a starting pitcher.

Kyle Bradish went on the 15-day injured list Saturday with a sprained right UCL after leaving the previous night's loss to Philadelphia complaining about his elbow. It's the same injury that kept him out a month at the start of this season, and the severity is not yet clear.

“It's difficult,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It's part of the game. We've had our share so far this year, and we had to rely on our depth.”

Grayson Rodriguez allowed two runs in seven innings Saturday in a 6-2 win over the Phillies, showing that the healthy members of Baltimore's rotation are still looking solid.

“I didn't know how we were going to respond, honestly,” Hyde said. “Watching what happened with Kyle last night, obviously people are down and thinking about him and hoping for the best. Grayson Rodriguez today, that was an amazing performance.”

The Orioles are 22 games over .500. That’s despite losing starters John Means and Tyler Wells to season-ending injuries. Dean Kremer is on the IL with a triceps strain.

Baltimore also is without closer Félix Bautista because of Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Danny Coulombe recently went on the IL with left elbow inflammation.

“We got real fortunate the last couple years. This year, we've had our share to far,” Hyde said. “It's part of the game. A lot of teams are dealing with it.”

Now Bradish, Baltimore's Game 1 starter in last year's postseason, is unavailable at least for the near future after going 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in eight starts. He left after five innings and 74 pitches Friday.

Corbin Burnes and Rodriguez top the Baltimore rotation along with Bradish. The Orioles have been able to withstand the injuries because of the performances of Cole Irvin (6-3, 3.03) and Albert Suárez (3-0, 1.61). Rookie Cade Povich also has shown promise in his first two starts.

The Orioles are wrapping up a stretch of 17 games in 17 days. They have an off day Monday before heading to New York for a big series against the AL East-leading Yankees. That's their only scheduled off day in June.

Bradish's injury likely rules out the possibility of a six-man rotation, at least until Kremer returns.

“We'll see what happens when Dean comes back, but right now we've got five,” Hyde said. “I have no idea when Dean's going to be here, and we've got three guys lined up for the Yankees and we'll go from there.”

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