Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said Monday that the team plans for Wells to be a starting pitcher next season, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's possible Wells opens next season in the bullpen if the Orioles make multiple high-impact starting pitcher acquisitions this offseason, but the righty set himself up well to be a member of the 2026 rotation after collecting a 2.91 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 18:2 K:BB over 21.2 innings in four September starts following a return from UCL revision surgery. Because he's totaled just 62.1 frames over the last two seasons, Wells' workload will likely be monitored closely in 2026.

Wells (2-1) took the loss Wednesday against Tampa Bay, giving up three runs on seven hits and a walk across four innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

It was a tough outing for Wells, who gave up a run in each of the first three innings. Prior to Wednesday, the 31-year-old right-hander had not allowed more than two runs in any of his three starts. Wells, who missed all but the final month of the season while recovering from UCL revision surgery, will likely finish the campaign with a 2.91 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 18 strikeouts across 21.2 innings.

Wells (2-0) earned the win Wednesday against the White Sox, allowing one run on four hits over six innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Wells was sharp again Wednesday, holding the White Sox to a lone run on Mike Tauchman's fourth-inning homer. In three starts since returning from UCL revision surgery that he underwent in June of last year, the right-hander has allowed just four runs while issuing just one walk and striking out 14 over 17.2 innings. Wells will look to keep rolling in his next outing, tentatively lined up for next week at home against the Rays.

Wells didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 2-1 extra-inning win over the Pirates, allowing one run on one hit and one walk over 6.2 innings. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Making his second start since recovering from June 2024 elbow surgery, Wells was locked in, with the only blemish on his line coming from a Spencer Horwitz solo shot in the fourth inning. The right-hander tossed 60 of 89 pitches for strikes, and through 11.2 innings, he sports a 2.31 ERA, 0.60 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB. Wells will look to continue a strong finish to 2025 in his next outing, which is scheduled to come on the road early next week against the White Sox.

Wells (1-0) allowed two runs on five hits and struck out four without walking a batter over five innings to earn the win Tuesday over the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Wells missed nearly 15 months while recovering from his June 14, 2024 UCL revision and internal brace augmentation procedure. He had a fairly normal workload in his return to a big-league mound, throwing 65 of 85 pitches for strikes while keeping a strong offense under control. Luis Arraez's two-run home run accounted for the runs on Wells' line. Wells posted a 2.49 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 24:6 K:BB over 25.1 innings across six outings during his rehab assignment, and he appears to be stretched out enough to remains in the Orioles' rotation over the final month of the season. His second start is projected to be at home versus the Pirates.

The Orioles reinstated Wells (elbow) from the injured list prior to his start Tuesday against the Padres.

EDGE Analysis

Wells will make his season debut Tuesday after spending the year recovering from the UCL revision and brace augmentation procedure he underwent last June. The 31-year-old posted a 2.49 ERA and 1.11 WHIP alongside a 24:6 K:BB over 25.1 innings during his six rehab starts, and he built up to 6.1 frames during his most recent outing.

Wells (elbow) is expected to be reinstated from the 60-day injured list to start Tuesday in San Diego, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander has spent the season rehabbing from the UCL revision and brace augmentation surgery he underwent in June 2024, but he's ready to make his 2025 debut Tuesday. Wells built up to 6.1 innings Wednesday with Triple-A Norfolk during the final outing of his rehab assignment, but the Orioles are still likely to be cautious with his workload down the stretch.

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Wednesday that Wells (elbow) will be activated from the 60-day injured list next week and will be part of a six-man rotation for the remainder of the season, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Wells is slated to make his final rehab start with Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, and as long as he gets through that outing without any setbacks, he'll likely start Sept. 2 in San Diego. Once activated, Wells will be making his first appearance at the big-league level since he had a UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery in June 2024. Wells has pitched well thus far on his rehab assignment, posting a 2.37 ERA and 19:5 K:BB over 19 innings.

Wells (elbow) made his fourth rehab start for Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday, allowing two runs on six hits and one walk in 5.2 innings. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

Wells threw 85 pitches in his fifth rehab outing overall, and he's expected to make one more appearance at Triple-A before returning to the Orioles. The right-hander is in the final stages of his recovery from UCL surgery, and he should be ready to make his season debut with Baltimore either as a starter or bulk reliever at some point in early September. The latter role is more likely with Kyle Bradish (elbow) also close to activation.

Wells (elbow) is slated to make two more rehab starts before returning from the 60-day injured list, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Making his way back from June 17, 2024 UCL revision and internal brace augmentation surgery, Wells permitted three runs with five strikeouts over five innings in the fourth start of his rehab assignment this past Friday with Triple-A Norfolk. He'll require two more outings in the minors before rejoining the big club, although it's not yet clear whether he'll be part of the Baltimore rotation or work out of the bullpen once he's activated.