The Baltimore Orioles were fortunate enough to have their ace Kyle Bradish return to the mound after a UCL procedure that took him out of action for 14 calendar months.
What has looked like a nice recovery is hoping to be replicated once again, as Tyler Wells, who is returning from a UCL procedure himself, will take the mound tonight for the first time since April 12, 2024.
Wells is no stranger to UCL procedures, as he had Tommy John Surgery in the earlier part of his career (2019). This go-round was a repair only, but the Orioles treated it with caution to allow Wells time to heal and build back up properly.
Wells will tow the rubber for the first time in a big league ballpark in 17 months, just over 500 days. The anxiousness and adrenaline meter at full strength, the 31-year-old righty found the perfect time and series for his return.
“You know,” Wells said, “getting to do it here in Southern California, where a lot of my family lives, having my wife (Melissa) and daughter (Ava Faye) with us now, too, it’s pretty special.”
After having surgery in June of last year, the arrival of his daughter, who was born in March of this year, was a helpful distraction for the first-time father Wells.
The mental grind is harder than the physical recovery. Having endured TJS before the Orioles selected him in the Rule 5 Draft in 2020, Wells knew how to navigate the mental wear and take on the daunting physical recovery.
“It was a little bit easier this time around because I understood what to expect, but at the same time, too, so much has changed and so much can change,” Wells said. “It’s really just about continually focusing on myself and continually being adaptable in whatever the situation is, whether it’s the clubhouse, whether it’s with how the team is doing, whatever it may end up being. I’m just trying to continue to be a positive light in all of it.”
Wells’ final rehab outing resulted in a 90-pitch effort over 6.1 innings of work, when he allowed two earned runs and struck out five to one walk on six total hits.
Wells will rejoin the Orioles on Tuesday, when they will employ a six-man rotation going forward. The extra rest will also help both the aforementioned Bradish and Wells as they return to game shape and prepare for 2026.
“It’s funny because I’ve sat out there and I’ve thought about it a lot of nights, just getting back here,” Wells said. “Even like the day I had surgery, I was already thinking about how it’s going to end up being. It’s definitely kind of like, man, that was a long time ago, and a lot has changed since then. I’m just really looking forward to getting the opportunity to go back out there and show everyone what I’ve got.”
Wells passed his last warm-up with Norfolk, and now the biggest test is to come. This time, his teammates and family will be surrounding and cheering him on from beautiful Petco Park in San Diego.
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