Kyle Bradish had a message for his Orioles teammate Adley Rutschman.
Spring training has brought a renewed sense of optimism for the Baltimore Orioles, and much of that outlook centers around the health and performance of two key players. Pitcher Kyle Bradish and catcher Adley Rutschman are both looking to reestablish themselves after injury setbacks, and their success could define Baltimore’s ceiling this season.
Bradish has quietly been one of the most effective pitchers in the American League when healthy. His breakout came in 2023, when he posted a 2.83 ERA across 30 starts with 168 strikeouts, finishing fourth in AL Cy Young Award voting.
However, injuries have significantly limited him since then. Over the past two seasons, Bradish has made just 14 total starts after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, creating uncertainty about how much he can contribute moving forward.
At the same time, Rutschman is trying to bounce back from a difficult 2025 season. Injuries, including multiple oblique strains, disrupted his rhythm and limited him to just 90 games. He finished with a .220 batting average, a .307 on‑base percentage and a .673 OPS, along with nine home runs and 29 RBIs. For a player with his pedigree, those numbers represented a clear step back.
That is why Bradish’s recent comments about his teammate stand out as both encouraging and important.
“When Rutsch is on, it makes this lineup even better. So, big bounce‑back year for him. He's looking really good right now,” Bradish said when discussing Rutschman’s spring training performance.
Rutschman’s track record suggests he is more than capable of responding. A former No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, he has already established himself as one of the top catchers in the game, earning two All‑Star selections and a Silver Slugger award early in his career. When he is producing, he not only anchors the lineup but also elevates the entire offense.
For Baltimore, the stakes are high. The organization made several moves this offseason to strengthen the roster, but its long‑term success still depends heavily on its young core. Bradish, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2018 and debuted in 2022, is entering his fifth MLB season and needs to stay on the field to stabilize the rotation. Rutschman, meanwhile, remains one of the team’s most important hitters and leaders behind the plate.
If both players can stay healthy and return to form, the Orioles could take another significant step forward. Their combination of pitching and offensive leadership gives Baltimore a higher ceiling than most teams in the league, making this season a pivotal one for the franchise.