As the Baltimore Orioles gear up for the upcoming season, they're taking a close look at potential key players during spring training. However, one of their promising pitching prospects, Keagan Gillies, is facing a setback. Gillies has been sidelined with a severe quad strain, which is expected to keep him out for at least six weeks, as announced by Mike Elias.
Gillies, who was invited to camp as a non-roster player, will have a delayed start to his season. Last year, he showcased his talent with an impressive 2.68 ERA and a 51:13 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 53.2 innings between Double-A Chesapeake and Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles might now consider adding more depth to their camp roster to compensate for his absence.
This isn't the only injury concern for the Orioles. Infielder Jordan Westburg is dealing with a partially torn UCL.
Fortunately, Westburg will avoid Tommy John surgery, which could have been season-ending. Instead, the team is opting for PRP injections, aiming for a quicker return.
Westburg is expected to be out through April, with his exact return date still uncertain.
Despite these challenges, the Orioles are hopeful both players will contribute to a strong start this season. The team is looking to manage these setbacks effectively as they prepare for a competitive year.