A disappointing 2025 season for Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle turned worse last weekend when he hurt his hamstring against the Chicago White Sox.
We learned Friday that he’ll be out until at least August with manager Tony Mansolino telling reporters in Sacramento that Mountcastle is expected to miss eight to 12 weeks with a Grade 2 strain of his right hamstring. The 28-year-old is batting .246 with two home runs and just a .628 on-base plus slugging percentage in 200 plate appearances, numbers making one wonder if Baltimore could non-tender him this offseason. At the very least, any thoughts of moving Mountcastle — who’s scheduled to become a free agent after 2026 — before next month’s trade deadline now appear to be finished.
While All-Star hopeful Ryan O’Hearn figures to see more time at first base moving forward, the player benefiting most from Mountcastle’s prolonged absence could be Coby Mayo. A consensus top 30 prospect in baseball for two years, Mayo has yet to receive an extended audition in the majors despite hitting 42 homers and posting an .885 OPS over 852 career plate appearances at Triple-A Norfolk over parts of three seasons. Of course, the 23-year-old has struggled mightily in limited opportunities dating back to last August, going 8-for-68 (.118) with 31 strikeouts and seven walks.
“He’s getting an opportunity, and, you know there’s a lot that goes into play there,” Mansolino said. “We ultimately have to write the lineup to win the game that night.”
Since being recalled from the minors last weekend to take Mountcastle’s place on the roster, Mayo has gone 3-for-15 with a double and his first career RBI. He’s also made three starts at first base with most pointing to that — or designated hitter — being his more likely spot in the majors than third base, which he’s continued to play in the minor leagues.
The Orioles can only hope a prolonged opportunity for Mayo goes better than it did for outfielder Heston Kjerstad filling in for the injured Colton Cowser over the first two months of the season. Despite seeing the most extensive action of his major league career, Kjerstad owns a slash line of .194/.241/.329 in 166 plate appearances in 2025, struggles that have left some to wonder whether he’ll be sent back to the minors when outfielders Cedric Mullins and Tyler O’Neill return from the IL.
After a disastrous start to 2025, the Orioles getting as much of their young position core pointed in the right direction by season’s end should be their top priority. And Mayo taking advantage of this opportunity would be a welcome development.
