Tyler Wells DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Friday. It will be the first time that Wells has thrown off a mound since he had UCL surgery and an internal-brace procedure on his right elbow in June of 2024. It will be a big step for the 30-year-old hurler, but his return to a big-league mound in 2025 is a ways off and most likely won't come until the second half of the season. Fantasy managers in mixed single-year leagues can continue to leave him to the waiver wire. It's also unclear if Wells will have a rotation spot waiting for him in Baltimore when he is activated from the injured list. He made only three starts last year before being shut down but had a career-best 3.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP with a career-high 117 strikeouts and 34 walks in 118 2/3 innings over 25 outings (20 starts) in 2023. At best, he'll be a deep-mixed streamer later this season.

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) will begin to throw off a mound within the next two weeks, according to general manager Mike Elias. Barring a setback while recovering from a UCL repair, Wells could return in the latter half of the summer. Wells had a UCL revision and an internal-brace procedure last June, which will keep him out until at least the second half of the season. For that reason, he should remain on the waiver wire in most fantasy leagues for most, if not all, of 2025. The 30-year-old former 15th-round pick by the Minnesota Twins in 2016 out of California State University -- San Bernardino only made three starts before being shut down last year, so he'll most likely have a limited workload whenever he returns. He had a career-best 3.64 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 117:34 K:BB in 118 2/3 innings with the O's in 2023.

MLB.com's Jake Rill reports that Baltimore Orioles right-hander Tyler Wells (elbow) is throwing but isn't putting any spin on the ball or going off a mound yet. Wells, who is recovering from UCL reconstruction via internal-brace surgery last June, doesn't have a target date for his return and is primarily focused on daily improvement while continuing to progress. The 30-year-old veteran won't be an option for the Orioles' starting rotation until around midseason in a best-case scenario, so he can be avoided in single-year fantasy drafts this spring. He had a career year in 2023 with the O's, going 7-6 with a career-best 3.64 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 118 2/3 innings over 25 outings (20 starts), but he made just three starts in 2024 before being shut down. Wells makes up for his lack of high-end velocity with plus control and elite movement of his pitches.