Orioles Face Pitching Crisis After Key Injuries

BALTIMORE, Md. — The Baltimore Orioles are grappling with a pitching crisis as the 2023 season kicks off, compounded by injuries to key players and a questionable rotation.

Corbin Burnes, a highly sought-after pitcher, signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks this winter, leaving the Orioles without a vital piece in their pitching staff. Additionally, injuries have sidelined pitchers Kyle Bradish and Grayson Rodriguez as the season begins, while Zach Eflin, one of the more dependable starters for the Orioles this year, is also on the injured list.

The aging Charlie Morton, acquired in the offseason, emerges as Baltimore’s most experienced starter, despite struggling to adapt to the Orioles’ needs. At 41 years old, Morton admitted on multiple occasions that he found MLB free agency daunting and revealed the stress surrounding his transition to Baltimore.

“Our bullpen’s had a pretty heavy load so far. When we’re getting four-inning starts, it’s gonna take its toll,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, per The Baltimore Banner. “Come on, Charlie Morton, need you. That’s the bottom line. We need to give some of these guys a break.”

Hyde’s comments reflect the mounting pressure on Morton, who was not expected to shoulder the responsibility of leading a pitching staff. Before his arrival in Baltimore, Morton was a valuable asset to the Atlanta Braves but is now facing an uphill battle due to the Orioles’ roster limitations and injury setbacks.

The team previously pursued Burnes during free agency, according to MLB insider Ken Rosenthal. However, Burnes opted for a six-year deal with the Diamondbacks, which Baltimore was unwilling to match. “But Burnes, 30, last went on the injured list for arm trouble in July 2019. He was the healthiest domestic ace to hit the market since Gerrit Cole,” Rosenthal wrote. “The state income tax rate is lower in Arizona than it is in Maryland. And Burnes, a resident of Scottsdale, Ariz., was eager to enjoy spring training and play regular-season games at home.”

As the Orioles enter the season without adequate depth in their pitching staff, they find themselves in a precarious situation. With the bullpen already facing exhaustion, the organization must address the shortcomings in their rotation before it takes a toll on the entire team. Pitching is critical to the game’s success, and with the season just beginning, time is of the essence for the Orioles to bolster their staff.

Should Morton struggle in his next outing, it would not necessarily reflect his capabilities but rather the broader issues faced by the Orioles pitching crew. The organization has room for improvement, and how they respond to these challenges could determine the course of their season.