The Baltimore Orioles have announced that starting pitcher Kyle Bradish will undergo hernia surgery, a procedure that team officials say should not affect his readiness for the 2027 season. The announcement came from Mike Elias, the club's president of baseball operations, during his end-of-season press conference.
Bradish, 30, had been managing the injury during his final three starts of the campaign. The right-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list in mid-September due to abdominal discomfort, and he had been weighing surgical options since that time.
How Did the Injury Affect Bradish's Performance?
The numbers tell a clear story. Over those final three starts, Bradish pitched 12 innings and surrendered 10 runs, seven of which were earned, on 16 hits and eight walks with nine strikeouts. That rough stretch inflated his season earned run average from 3.70 to 4.12.
Prior to that difficult finish, Bradish had also allowed seven runs against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The late-season struggles were a disappointing end to what had otherwise been a productive year.
What Did Bradish Achieve in the 2026 Season?
By any reasonable measure, 2026 was a successful campaign for the veteran pitcher. In his first full season back from Tommy John surgery, Bradish made 29 starts and threw 155 innings. Both figures rank as the second-highest of his career, trailing only his 2023 season when he made 30 starts and pitched 168 2/3 innings.
His performance and durability convinced the Orioles to make a significant long-term commitment. After winning an arbitration hearing last winter that set his salary at $3.55 million, Bradish and the club put any hard feelings aside. Just five months later, the two sides agreed to a five-year, $90 million contract covering the 2027 through 2031 seasons. The deal buys out Bradish's final two arbitration years and secures three seasons that would have been free-agent years.
Will the Surgery Affect the 2027 Season?
Team officials expect Bradish to be fully recovered well before spring training. Barring unforeseen complications, he should rejoin a starting rotation that includes Shane Baz, who also signed a five-year extension this season, and breakout right-hander Brandon Young.
The organization also has prospects Trey Gibson and Luis De Leon waiting for opportunities, with former top prospect Cade Povich potentially in the mix as well.
What Is the Orioles' Offseason Plan for the Rotation?
The Orioles face significant turnover this winter. Trevor Rogers, Chris Bassitt, and Zach Eflin are all set to become free agents. Rogers is considered a near-certain recipient of a qualifying offer, which he would likely reject in favor of a multi-year deal elsewhere.
Eflin made only one start this season before undergoing UCL surgery, yet he entered the year with a locked-in rotation spot. His departure, combined with the potential losses of Rogers and Bassitt, would remove three veteran arms the Orioles relied upon heavily at the start of the season.
While the emergence of Young and the acquisitions of Double-A right-hander Anthony Eyanson and High-A righty Kyson Witherspoon in the Adley Rutschman trade have strengthened the organization's depth, it remains highly probable that Elias and his staff will pursue additional rotation help during the offseason.
Elias has stated he plans to speak with Rogers' representatives at PSI Sports Management before the free agent market officially opens, five days after the World Series concludes. No definitive decisions have been announced, but the Orioles clearly have work ahead to maintain a competitive pitching staff.