BALTIMORE -- Bad injury luck continues to be a predominant storyline of the Orioles’ disappointing start to the 2025 season.
Prior to a 2-1 win over the White Sox at Camden Yards on Friday, the O’s placed veteran center fielder Cedric Mullins (right hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list. Then, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle sustained what could be a similar injury, as he exited the victory at the start of the eighth inning with right hamstring discomfort.
The 30-year-old Mullins became the 11th player currently on the O’s IL, which features fellow outfielders Colton Cowser (left thumb fracture), Tyler O’Neill (left shoulder impingement) and Ramón Laureano (left ankle sprain). That’s 80% of the outfielders who were on Baltimore’s Opening Day roster, with only Heston Kjerstad healthy and active.
Infielder Jordan Westburg (who went 2-for-3 on Friday in second rehab game for Triple-A Norfolk) has been out due to a left hamstring strain as well.
It’s not yet known when Mountcastle began to feel discomfort. In the bottom of the sixth, he became the first Orioles player to steal home since Mullins on Aug. 12, 2021, vs. Detroit. Mountcastle broke for home after Chicago catcher Edgar Quero threw to second -- unsuccessful in an attempt to nab a stealing Ryan O’Hearn -- and then slid home headfirst.
“They’ll evaluate it, they’ll check him out tomorrow. We’ll go from there,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said of Mountcastle.
If Mountcastle misses time, then Baltimore would likely recall corner infielder Coby Mayo (the O’s No. 2 prospect and MLB Pipeline’s No. 17 overall). The 23-year-old was scratched from Norfolk’s lineup and was en route to Baltimore on Friday night, according to multiple sources, seemingly as a precaution in case Mountcastle ends up going on the IL.
Mullins didn’t play Monday or Tuesday before returning to the lineup for Wednesday’s finale vs. the Cardinals. He was banged up coming out of a rainy series in Boston over the weekend, so the team was trying to be cautious.
During Thursday’s off-day, Mullins underwent an MRI, which revealed a “very minor” strain, per Mansolino. The ailment is not expected to become a long-term issue.
“My guess is that this will probably be the minimum for him,” Mansolino said. “And who knows, it can go a little bit further, but we are not super concerned. It’s more just right now, taking care of Ced and making sure we get him back to 100 percent.”
The IL placement was retroactive to Thursday, so Mullins will be eligible to return on June 8.
Baltimore will miss Mullins for however long he is sidelined, though. The 2021 All-Star and Silver Slugger has been a key member of the lineup, hitting .232 with nine doubles, a team-high 10 home runs, 31 RBIs and a .772 OPS over 50 games.
This is the first time Mullins has been on the IL since the 2023 season, when he had two stints due to a right groin strain (May 30-June 24, July 16-Aug. 11).
Outfielder Cooper Hummel was signed to an MLB deal to take Mullins’ spot on the active roster. The 30-year-old had an eventful week, as he inked a big league contract with the O’s on Sunday, then was designated for assignment on Monday. He became a free agent on Thursday, before rejoining Baltimore a day later.
“Is baseball ever normal? It wouldn’t be a normal year without something kind of like that, in my opinion,” said Hummel, who made his Baltimore debut on Friday when he played the final two innings in right field and went 0-for-1 with a strikeout. “But yeah, it’s a little weird.”
Hummel’s second stint on the Orioles’ roster may not be much longer than his first. Cowser has played five Minor League rehab games (three with High-A Aberdeen, two for Norfolk) and is nearing a return after fracturing his left thumb during a headfirst slide into first base on March 30 in Toronto. O’Neill has also resumed baseball activities, while Laureano took batting practice on the field on Friday.
Mansolino said Cowser could return during next week’s road trip to Seattle and Sacramento.
“We’ll get input from Colton, we’ll consider all factors,” Mansolino said. “First and foremost, it’s going to be about Colton. Colton has to be ready. We can’t bring him back if he’s not ready. If he’s ready, and he feels good and the performance is there and he’s seeing the ball good, then I think there’s a conversation about getting him here maybe a day sooner.”
As more injuries occur, Baltimore’s clubhouse is remaining focused on positives.
“We’re going to keep rocking. We’ve got guys coming back,” O’Hearn said. “Looking forward to Cowser and Westburg coming back. I know they’re on rehab assignments right now, and they’re going to plug right in and hopefully be ready to roll, and they’re going to be huge for us.”