Welcome to another edition of the Orioles Beat newsletter. The O’s have two more games to play in Milwaukee before heading to Boston for a four-game American League East rivalry set. BALTIMORE -- Colton Cowser can still vividly describe the play from March 30 on which he fractured his left thumb, an injury that has since sidelined the 25-year-old Orioles outfielder. On Sunday morning, Cowser spoke with the media for the first time since the moment took place. He acknowledged that sliding into first base during the seventh inning of Baltimore’s 3-1 loss to Toronto at Rogers Centre may not have been the right move -- especially considering the repercussions -- but everything was happening quickly. “Hindsight, you can always say just run through it. It wasn’t one of those things where I thought it was a faster situation,” Cowser said. “It was PFP [pitchers’ fielding practice], coming over and throw was up the line, trying to kind of avoid a tag, and my instincts just kind of took over and tried to get around them. “It was unfortunate. I know that it’s not a baseball play that you’re really supposed to make, but sometimes, the instincts take over.” While Cowser hopes to avoid a similar occurrence in the future, he doesn’t plan on lowering his effort, a key component of his hard-nosed playing style. |
“I could have just dogged it out of the box and not really put an effort in, but at the time, was just trying to get the tying runner up to the plate,” Cowser said. “I’m always going to hustle, that’s just kind of who I am. Definitely, going forward, going to be more cautious with that and be a little bit smarter.” There are plenty of reasons why Baltimore has endured early-season struggles (a 15-31 record entering Tuesday). The O’s offense has underperformed. Their starting pitching has not been great. Their bullpen has wavered at times. Their defense has been a bit uncharacteristically sloppy. Then, there are the injuries -- core players such as Cowser, Jordan Westburg (left hamstring strain), Tyler O’Neill (left shoulder impingement) and others have spent large periods of time on the injured list. Others, such as right-hander Grayson Rodriguez (right elbow inflammation/right lat strain), have missed the entire season to this point. “Luck isn’t the story, but it’s part of the story. Injuries [aren't] the story, but it’s part of the story,” said Tony Mansolino, who became interim manager following Brandon Hyde’s dismissal on Saturday. “I think, in due time, you’ll see both of those tides turn for us a little bit.” Cowser will ideally return to the Orioles’ lineup by mid-June. He took batting practice on the field for the first time Saturday, and he’s hoping to soon begin a Minor League rehab assignment. He no longer has any limitations, as his left thumb has healed. |
When Cowser returns, he should provide a boost to the offense. He started slow this year -- going 2-for-16 (.125) with one home run and one RBI in four games -- but he was the American League Rookie of the Year Award runner-up in 2024, when he hit .242 with 24 doubles, three triples, 24 home runs, 69 RBIs and a .768 OPS over 153 games. For now, Cowser -- who has been with the team for much of his recovery process -- will try to continue being a positive presence in Baltimore’s clubhouse amid its difficult start to the season. “It’s definitely been challenging,” Cowser said. “It’s something that I’m going through for the first time, and I think the big thing is trying to show up and being an asset, not someone who’s bringing down the clubhouse. Just trying to do what I can. “I think it’s one of those things, showing up, getting my work done, and then, after that, just trying to be like an energy fountain rather than a drain. And it’s definitely been tough with how things have gone this year. But like I said, just trying to continue to show up each and every day and handle my business.” |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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The Orioles return home Monday for a Memorial Day matchup against the Cardinals, the opener of a three-game series. Then, the White Sox will come to Camden Yards for a three-game weekend set. The following giveaways will be handed out during the homestand: Wednesday, May 28: Orioles flag (first 10,000 fans) Friday, May 30: Bowling shirt (first 15,000 fans) Saturday, May 31: Grayson Rodriguez bobblehead (first 20,000 fans)
Tickets for next week’s games are on sale at Orioles.com/Tickets.
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Kade Strowd made his Major League debut during the Orioles’ 10-4 loss to the Nationals on Sunday, as the 27-year-old right-hander worked the ninth inning. He allowed one earned run on two hits with one strikeout, punching out Keibert Ruiz swinging for the final out of the frame. In the process, Strowd became the first pitcher drafted by Baltimore since Mike Elias became general manager (prior to the 2019 season) to debut for the team. Strowd was a 12th-round pick in the ‘19 MLB Draft out of West Virginia University. Brandon Young, who made his first two MLB starts earlier this year, was acquired and developed by Elias’ front office. However, the 26-year-old right-hander was an undrafted free agent who signed after the shortened 2020 Draft. |
“I don’t think there’s really any words I can tell you. It’s frustrating, it sucks. Losing is not fun by any means. We’re not necessarily having fun right now. We want to go out and win every single game that we play, and it’s just not happening right now. Don’t really have much more to elaborate on that.” -- right-hander Zach Eflin, on the Orioles’ tough start |
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