Why do the Orioles have so many injuries? | MAILBAG

Question: It amazes me how the O’s have so many injuries before the season even starts. Normally some stupid  things happen at home that result in injury. Now players show up at camp and they’re dealing with injuries from the start. You’d think that players would keep in shape during the offseason? From: Don Fazio

Answer: Don, this is a question that I’m frequently asked. It’s an incorrect assumption that players don’t come to spring training in shape. They do. Players are very competitive, and if anything, they work out too hard in the offseason.

It’s also an incorrect assumption that the Orioles are the only team dealing with injuries. While in 2024 and 2025, they had an abnormal amount of injuries, they were perhaps the healthiest team in baseball in 2022 and 2023.

Question: I’m old enough to remember when starting pitchers went to the bullpen between starts. Jim Palmer has talked about it on the air. It seems like with a five- or six-man rotation, putting the starters out there on days they’re scheduled to throw side sessions would both lengthen the bullpen and prepare them for pitching in relief during the playoffs. We see starters in the ‘pen pretty often in post eason play.

Have the Orioles considered this? From: Henry Alexander

Answer: Henry, I don’t think the Orioles have considered this. To make it to the World Series, teams have to win two or three playoff series, and teams try to conserve pitchers’ arms by limiting pitches and innings rather than pitching them in more stressful situations. Side sessions are far less stressful than games.

The Orioles may well use a six-man rotation later in the season because they have six capable starters, including Dean Kremer. Chris Bassitt, who has been a starter, easily transitioned to a reliever in the postseason last season. Zach Eflin did the same for Philadelphia in 2022.

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.