As the Orioles have scooped into their farm system for pitching reserves over the last month, they've had to pass over two of their top pitching prospects who are already on the 40-man roster due to injuries.
For Parker Bridwell and Chris Lee, who were added to the roster last year to protect them from the Rule 5 draft, the opportunities to contribute at the major league level have been delayed during a time when the need was as great as it will ever be.
Lee, who is on the disabled list at Double-A Bowie with soreness in the lat muscle area of his left throwing shoulder, hasn't pitched since May 23 and is heading to Sarasota on Saturday to continue his rehab there. There's no immediate timetable for his return. About two weeks ago, he had a bullpen but was shut down again because the discomfort didn't subside.
"At first, I was just tossing a little bit and felt a little discomfort," Lee said. "I felt like I needed to tell someone that I felt discomfort. They looked at it and basically were being smart, taking it slow. There's no need to keep on throwing and put pressure on it, then be out for a year. What's a couple weeks to a year? Especially with my throwing arm. The main thing is to get healthy and keep on throwing for many years. The main thing is to get my arm stronger and make sure I don't have this discomfort again for the rest of the year, or years to come."
The 23-year-old left-hander, who was acquired from the Houston Astros for a pair of international bonus slots last season, was 5-0 with a 2.98 ERA for the Baysox before his injury. He wasn't missing a ton of bats, instead pitching to contact with good results. That lack of an out pitch might have made bringing him to the majors tenuous, but his status on the roster and the fact that he throws from the left side would have made him a sure-fire candidate.
Lee, however, is more bummed about the skid the Baysox have found themselves in in his absence than the major league opportunity that the likes of Jayson Aquino, Donnie Hart, Ariel Miranda and Jason Garcia received.
"All those guys deserve it," Lee said. "They're doing the No. 1 thing it takes to get up there — stay healthy. Guys like Donnie Hart, a real good buddy of mine. I was really happy to see him get called up there because he worked his [butt] off, every day."
Bridwell, too, is happy for all of his friends who made it up while he waited for a broken rib to heal.
"It's not frustrating at all seeing your friends from your team go up," Bridwell said. "I was happy and pumped for all of them. They all deserve it. But being on the DL is frustrating as it is. It's something you've got to deal with and get back as fast as possible."
Bridwell landed on the disabled list for just over a month after breaking a rib on his left side on his follow through. For the last three years, Bridwell had struck out a batter per inning, but that rate halved this year as he battled to a 5.13 ERA before the injury.
Now that he's returned, it seems the Orioles have pulled the trigger on a move many have considered was in Bridwell's future. He's been moved, full-time, to the bullpen.
"As far as I know, I'm in the bullpen now," Bridwell said. "Until they tell me any different, that's where I'll pitch. I'm game to do any role. Obviously, I'll do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues. That's the main goal. Whatever I can do to get there, I'll do."
Bridwell has made two appearances since his return out of the Baysox bullpen, allowing three earned runs in the first before pitching a clean inning on Wednesday. With a fastball that rides up into the mid-90s and an above-average changeup, Bridwell thinks the bullpen might be a place he can adjust to quickly. It could also lead to a faster opportunity in Baltimore.
"I think it fits my personality," he said. "Starting, you've got to be a little more — I don't want to say relaxed, but it's just a little less high-tempo when you're starting. I think my personality is kind of like a go-getter. Coming out of the pen, I'm excited to try something new. We'll see if I can carry out this challenge as best as possible, do it as best as I can."