BALTIMORE — While finally welcoming Ryan Mountcastle back to the lineup for the first time in more than two months, the Orioles placed two starting outfielders on the injured list on Friday, continuing one of the major themes of their miserable 2025 season.
While the oft-injured Tyler O’Neill going to the 10-day IL seemed likely after he hurt his right wrist in Philadelphia on Tuesday, Colton Cowser being placed on the seven-day concussion IL came as more of a surprise. Manager Tony Mansolino said the 25-year-old is dealing with symptoms “very mild in nature” to this point after crashing into the left-field wall in the sixth inning of Wednesday afternoon’s 5-1 win. Cowser played the remainder of the game despite appearing to be in discomfort immediately after the play, but Mansolino said he didn’t begin feeling symptoms until after the game.
This marks O’Neill’s third stint on the IL this season, which continues an extremely disappointing first year in Baltimore for the power-hitting outfielder despite better production at the plate in recent weeks. The 30-year-old is batting .210 with eight home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .726 on-base plus slugging percentage this season, but he had homered five times and driven in 12 runs over his last nine games dating back to July 25.
After missing a little over two months with a fractured thumb suffered in the opening series of the season, Cowser has really struggled at the plate with a slash line of .198/.264/.297 since July 1. The 2024 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up is batting .213 with nine homers, 22 RBIs, and a .680 OPS in 215 plate appearances this season.
Apparently determined to maintain outfield prospect Dylan Beavers’ rookie eligibility for next season by keeping him in the minors for at least another week, general manager Mike Elias recalled outfielder Jordyn Adams from Triple-A Norfolk and signed 32-year-old journeyman outfielder Greg Allen, who last played in the majors in 2023 and was most recently in the Chicago Cubs’ farm system. Baltimore waived Vidal Brujan to make 26-man roster room for Allen.
While Beavers — who turns 24 on Monday — is batting .309 with 18 homers, 50 RBIs, and a .961 OPS for the Tides this season, the Orioles trotted out a starting major league outfield of Dylan Carlson in left, Allen in center, and Ryan Noda in right for Friday’s series opener with the Athletics.
“I’m not involved in any of that,” said Mansolino when asked whether Beavers was considered for a promotion after these outfield injuries. “I know Mike and the front office, they have a very specific plan in place for that, and they’re going to execute that, regardless of the circumstances here.”
Despite Mountcastle’s return to the roster, Mansolino confirmed his plan to continue prioritizing Coby Mayo’s development at first base down the stretch. That will mean more opportunities for Mountcastle as the designated hitter, which became easier for the time being with O’Neill sidelined again.
In 200 plate appearances this season, Mountcastle, 28, has batted .246 with two homers, 15 RBIs, and a .628 OPS. He hit three long balls over a nine-game rehab assignment at Norfolk.
