Should Orioles call up Enrique Bradfield Jr. to pinch-run? / MAILBAG

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: I think the O’s should bring up Enrique Bradfield Jr. before September 1^st.  Not necessarily as a starter, but he can be a force as a pinch-runner and late-inning defensive replacement.  With Jorge Mateo out for the year, speed is missing on this team. He can change singles to doubles. With the expanded roster, they should be able to carry a pinch-runner. Any chance it could happen? From: Bruce Nycum, Elkridge

Answer: Bruce, I don’t think that will happen. Bradfield has only played 14 games at Double-A, and while he’s fast, there’s a huge difference between major league catchers and ones he’s seen at Aberdeen and Bowie.

I think one of the reasons the Orioles acquired Forrest Wall off waivers from Miami on Wednesday is for the role you envision. He could be a defensive replacement and has stolen nine bases in 13 attempts.

Question: The Orioles have shown some hesitation with performing surgeries right away, most notably with Félix Bautista, Kyle Bradish, and now Jorge Mateo. A healthy Bautista would have been ideal for this year’s playoff run and that could have been an option if he had surgery immediately instead of waiting several weeks. What’s behind the organization’s philosophy of waiting and prolonging the inevitable? From: Kris Kane

Answer: Kris, I disagree with your theory. Even if Félix Bautista had Tommy John surgery in September rather than October, he still would not have been ready to pitch this season. Recovery from Tommy John surgery varies from player to player. John Means wasn’t ready to pitch in the major leagues for more than 16 months after surgery.

As for Bradish, he was pitching at the highest level in his career before his surgery. Mateo’s doctors wanted to wait until the swelling from his elbow subsided before they decided on surgery.

Most important, the Orioles and their doctors don’t make decisions on surgery unilaterally. They make recommendations to the players, and in the end, it’s the player’s choice whether to have surgery or not.