BREAKING: The Baltimore Orioles have officially placed rookie right-hander Brandon Young on the 60-day injured list, effectively ending his challenging season just as it began to show promise. Young, who struggled with a 1-7 record and a 6.24 ERA across 12 starts, suffered a hamstring injury during his last outing against the Houston Astros and will not return this year.
The decision comes on the heels of Young’s impressive performance on August 15, when he nearly pitched a perfect game, only to lose it on an infield hit with two outs in the eighth inning. However, in his next start, the injury occurred while covering first base, sidelining him initially for 15 days. With no recovery in sight before the end of September, the Orioles made the move to the 60-day IL.
Despite his disappointing statistics, interim manager Tony Mansolino emphasized the valuable experience gained by the 26-year-old, stating, “He kind of found out how his stuff plays in the big leagues.” Young’s early struggles included losing his first six decisions, but he demonstrated potential in standout performances, particularly against the Astros and during a game on July 8 against the New York Mets, where he struck out six batters in 5 1/3 innings.
In a series of roster moves, the Orioles also announced the call-up of right-hander Roansy Contreras and infielder Emmanuel Rivera from Triple-A Norfolk, while designating infielder Vimael Machin for assignment after a lackluster performance, batting just .091 in four games. Mansolino noted that Rivera’s addition at third base will enhance the team’s infield defense with Jordan Westburg currently on the IL.
Looking ahead, the Orioles expect to welcome back pitcher Tyler Wells after Monday, bolstering their rotation as he returns from elbow surgery he underwent in June 2024. This final push comes as the team strategies for the future, with the hope that the lessons learned this season will pay dividends in 2026.
Fans and analysts alike are watching closely as the Orioles navigate these changes and prepare for the upcoming challenges. The focus now shifts to how the team will adapt without Young and the impact of the new roster on their performance for the remainder of the season.