Wells is without a timeline to resume throwing after being placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with right elbow inflammation, but manager Brandon Hyde said Saturday that he's optimistic the right-hander will avoid an extended absence, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Hyde suggested that Wells' placement on the IL was for precautionary reasons after the 29-year-old experienced discomfort in his elbow following his most recent outing April 12. Given that he hasn't been diagnosed with anything more than inflammation, Wells should be in store for a brief shutdown before he starts throwing again, but since he has yet to do so just under a week after being placed on the IL, he's still likely to miss more than the minimum 15 days. Wells is one of three Orioles starters on the IL at the moment, but he appears to be the furthest away from being activated since John Means (forearm) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) are already in the midst of rehab assignments.

The Orioles placed Wells on the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.

EDGE Analysis

The assignment to the 15-day injured list is retroactive to April 13. Wells allowed four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings with three strikeouts in his last outing Friday. It was his second loss of the season as he fell to 0-2. The 29-year-old was supposed to start Wednesday, so the Orioles will have to make another move or fill in the spot with someone on the roster.

Wells (0-2) took the loss Friday against Milwaukie, allowing four runs on six hits and a walk over four innings. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

After a clean first inning, Wells allowed three runs on three extra-base hits in the second inning en route to an eventual 11-1 Baltimore loss. It's been a shaky start to the year for the 29-year-old right-hander -- his ERA is up to 5.87 with a 1.37 WHIP and 13:10 K:BB through his first 15.1 innings. Wells is currently in line to face the Twins at home in his next outing.

Wells allowed three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 5.1 innings in a no-decision against the Pirates on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Joey Bart launched a two-run homer off Wells on his first swing as a Pirate. That would account for most of the damage, but Wells dealt with heavy traffic throughout, allowing nearly twice as many baserunners as he did in his season debut March 31 against the Angels. Wells induced just 10 swings and misses on 87 pitches Saturday and may not possess a particularly high fantasy ceiling, but he's locked into the rotation for one of the best teams in the American League. The right-hander lines up for a home start against the Brewers next weekend.

Wells (0-1) took the loss Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and no walks over six innings against the Angels. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Wells had a shaky start Sunday after allowing a two-run homer to Taylor Ward in the first inning and yielding two more runs (one unearned) in the second. However, the Orioles pitcher was able to settle in and finished his outing with four straight scoreless innings and earned a quality start. Wells looks to be a dependable starter after producing a 3.64 ERA over 118.2 innings in 2023 and leaving spring training this year with a 1.26 ERA over 14.1 innings. His next start is scheduled to be against the Pirates on the road.

Wells will be the Orioles' No. 3 starter to open 2024, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wells likely has a bit more safety in the rotation than Cole Irvin while John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow) work their way back to full health. Wells pitched to a 1.69 ERA over 10.2 innings across three spring starts. He's no guarantee to stay in the rotation all year given his success in the bullpen in previous seasons, but Wells is an encouraging position for now.

Wells allowed one run on two hits and a walk with one strikeout over four innings versus the Rays on Tuesday.

EDGE Analysis

Wells gave up a solo home run to Randy Arozarena, but was otherwise in control for his second spring start. Wells is doing his part to earn a spot in the rotation to start the season, as the Orioles will be missing John Means (elbow) and Kyle Bradish (elbow). After starting 2023 as a starter and pitching well, Wells faded in July and dealt with arm fatigue after getting optioned to the minors. The right-hander may not be a starter for all of 2024 either, but if he can carry over his strong spring into the regular season, he could make some tough decisions pop up for manager Brandon Hyde.

Wells could open the season in the Orioles' rotation following injuries to Kyle Bradish (elbow) and John Means (elbow), Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The tall right-hander was seemingly squeezed out of the rotation following the team's trade for Corbin Burnes, but he's now firmly back in the mix with Bradish pegged for the injured list and Means likely to join him. Wells finished with a 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB over 118.2 innings in 2023 but had a 7.07 ERA in just 14 frames after the All-Star break.

Wells signed a one-year, $1.9625 million contract with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wells will receive a salary increase of roughly $1.23 million after turning in a 3.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP through 118.2 frames last season. Wells struggled badly coming out of the All-Star break and was quickly demoted to the minors, but he was able to work his way back to the Orioles' bullpen before the end of the year. The 29-year-old should return to Baltimore's rotation to begin 2024.

Wells picked up the save Thursday against the Red Sox. He didn't strike out a batter over a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Usual closer Yennier Cano worked part of the eighth inning, retiring a pair of batters before Cionel Perez closed out the frame, leaving Wells to take the mound in the ninth. The starter-turned-reliever delivered a perfect inning to secure his first save from 2021. Though Cano should be expected to handle most of the ninth inning work until Felix Bautista (elbow) returns, Wells could earn more high-leverage work if he continues to produce.