Baltimore Orioles Face Setbacks with Key Injuries: A Closer Look at the 2025 Season

The Baltimore Orioles’ 2025 season was off to an exciting start. After a strong finish in 2024, the team’s hopes for the new year were high, driven by a promising young roster, strong veterans, and the emergence of some of their best prospects. However, as is often the case in baseball, injuries have marred their early momentum. In the past week, the Orioles have faced even more setbacks, with two more players being placed on the injured list and two of their biggest stars being moved to the 60-day injured list. These moves have raised concerns about the team’s immediate future and tested their depth in ways they may not have anticipated.

The Orioles’ pitching staff has been hit the hardest, with critical injuries mounting throughout the roster. The team has recently placed two players on the injured list and transferred two others to the 60-day IL, a move that has significant long-term consequences.

The two players placed on the 15-day IL were starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez and outfielder Austin Hays. Rodriguez, one of the Orioles’ most highly touted prospects, had been struggling with a mild strain in his right shoulder and upper back. The injury was described as “mild” by the Orioles’ medical staff, but even minor injuries can have lingering effects, especially for a pitcher whose mechanics and motion depend heavily on a fully functional shoulder. Rodriguez had shown flashes of brilliance in the early part of the season, and his absence leaves a huge gap in the Orioles’ rotation.

Hays, on the other hand, is an essential piece of the Orioles’ outfield. While not the flashiest player, Hays’ consistency and ability to hit for both average and power have been crucial to the team’s success. He had been nursing a hamstring issue for the past few games, which eventually led to the decision to place him on the injured list.

However, the most concerning moves came when the Orioles announced that they would be transferring two of their marquee stars, right-hander Kyle Bradish and starting outfielder Cedric Mullins, to the 60-day IL. This move effectively rules both players out for at least two months, if not longer, as they recover from their respective injuries. Bradish, who had been the Orioles’ most consistent starter last season, is dealing with a right elbow strain, while Mullins is recovering from a lower back injury that has persisted for weeks.

The biggest concern for the Orioles in light of these injuries is the state of their pitching staff. Prior to these injuries, the team had been optimistic about their rotation, with Bradish and Rodriguez poised to be key contributors. The loss of Bradish for at least two months is a serious blow. In 2024, Bradish had a breakout year, posting a 3.60 ERA and showing real potential as a No. 2 starter. His injury leaves the team with a huge void in their rotation, and the Orioles now face a critical question: Who will step up to take his place?

Kyle Gibson, a seasoned veteran, was brought in during the offseason to provide stability to the starting rotation. However, even with Gibson’s experience, the team has now been forced to rely heavily on their bullpen. This puts more pressure on pitchers like Tyler Wells and the young, inexperienced arms that have been called up from the minors.

The Orioles’ depth in the bullpen will now be fully tested, as pitchers like Keegan Akin, Mike Baumann, and Bryan Baker are likely to see increased workloads. The team will also have to get creative with bullpen games and piggybacking pitchers, which is a strategy that can work in short bursts but rarely provides sustained success over the course of an entire season.

The injury to Cedric Mullins is another significant blow to the Orioles. Mullins is the team’s leadoff hitter and one of its most dynamic players. Known for his speed and ability to hit for both average and power, Mullins has been a key contributor to the team’s success in recent years. His absence leaves the Orioles without one of their most reliable offensive weapons.

Austin Hays, while not as high-profile as Mullins, has been a steady force in the outfield. His ability to hit for average and provide solid defense in left field made him an important part of the Orioles’ starting lineup. His hamstring injury comes at a time when the team can ill afford to lose a solid bat in the lineup.

With these two outfielders sidelined, the Orioles will have to rely on the likes of Ryan McKenna, Aaron Hicks, and perhaps some of their minor league call-ups to fill the void. While McKenna has shown flashes of promise, neither he nor Hicks have the same level of consistency as Hays and Mullins.

With the Orioles’ pitching staff stretched thin and their outfield lineup lacking key players, the team’s immediate future looks uncertain. Their success in the coming months will depend on how quickly their injured stars can return and whether their depth players can rise to the occasion.

The next few weeks will be critical for the Orioles. Their ability to navigate the tough stretch ahead will test their organizational depth. The front office will be closely monitoring the team’s performance, and it wouldn’t be surprising if the Orioles look to make a trade to bolster their rotation or outfield. The Orioles have a strong farm system, and they might be able to leverage some of their top prospects to bring in a veteran starter or an experienced outfielder.

The team’s offense will also need to step up to compensate for the loss of Mullins and Hays. Players like Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman will need to carry the load offensively. Henderson, in particular, has shown signs of becoming one of the game’s next great stars, and the Orioles will need him to continue his development and hit for power while maintaining his discipline at the plate.

One of the reasons the Orioles are optimistic despite the injuries is the strength of their minor league system. The team has one of the deepest farm systems in all of baseball, and several prospects are knocking on the door of the big leagues.

Pitching prospects like Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall, and Chayce McDermott have the potential to make an impact, though it’s unclear whether they will be able to handle the pressure of a major league rotation immediately. On the position player side, players like Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad have the talent to contribute at the major league level, and their time may come sooner than expected.

The Orioles may call on some of these younger players to help fill the gaps left by injuries, but it’s a high-risk, high-reward situation. While these prospects may offer a potential boost, they could also take time to adjust to the major league level.

With the trade deadline looming on the horizon, the Orioles’ front office will be faced with some tough decisions. Will they remain patient with their current roster, or will they make aggressive moves to bring in more established players to push for a playoff spot? It’s clear that the injuries have put the team in a difficult position, but the Orioles’ front office has shown in the past that they are willing to make bold moves to improve the roster.

Whether the team chooses to trade for starting pitching, outfield help, or both will depend on the performance of their current roster and the availability of potential trade targets. As the 2025 season progresses, the Orioles will have to weigh the costs and benefits of acquiring new talent and how it fits with their long-term goals.

Despite the setbacks, the Orioles have shown resilience in the face of adversity. Injuries are a part of baseball, and every team deals with them at some point. What will determine the success of the 2025 Orioles is how they respond to these challenges. Will the depth of their pitching staff hold up? Can their young hitters step up and keep the offense going? Will the front office make the right moves to bolster the team’s chances?

In the end, the Orioles’ 2025 season is far from over. While the injuries are significant, they also present an opportunity for others to step into the spotlight and make a name for themselves. As the team works through these challenges, one thing is clear: the Orioles’ resilience and determination will be tested more than ever before.