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Make it 26.
That’s how many different Orioles have gone on the injured list this season, two more than the total in 2021, seven more than in 2012 and 2008, and nine more than in 2024, 2018 and 2015. And we’re not taking into account the repeat visitors like Tyler O’Neill, Zach Eflin and Gary Sánchez.
Félix Bautista became the 26th yesterday, retroactive to Monday, with right shoulder discomfort. The only good news is that his surgically-repaired elbow is fine.
Trying to put a positive spin on 2025 can create shoulder and elbow pain. What else can possibly go wrong?
Don’t answer.
Here’s the list. Read it at your own risk:
RHP Kyle Bradish – March 21
RHP Tyler Wells – March 23
SS Gunnar Henderson – March 24
RHP Grayson Rodriguez – March 24
RHP Chayce McDermott – March 24
RHP Andrew Kittredge – March 24
LHP Trevor Rogers – March 24
RHP Albert Suárez – March 29
OF Colton Cowser – March 31
RHP Zach Eflin – April 8/June 29
RHP Cody Poteet – April 21
OF Tyler O’Neill – April 24/May 16
INF Jordan Westburg – April 27
C Gary Sánchez – April 28/July 6
INF Ramón Urías – May 1
OF Ramón Laureano – May 21
OF Cedric Mullins – May 29
1B Ryan Mountcastle – May 31
INF Jorge Mateo – June 7
LHP Cade Povich – June 16
C Adley Rutschman – June 20
C Maverick Handley – June 23
C Chadwick Tromp – July 1
LHP Keegan Akin – July 1
RHP Scott Blewett – July 13
RHP Félix Bautista – July 24
An elite closer isn’t a priority on a team that’s selling, but the Orioles still want to win games. They’re competitors. There’s pride at stake, and a real reluctance inside the clubhouse to concede the Wild Card chase. And losing Bautista punches a mountainous hole in the back of the bullpen.
Bautista isn’t as dominant as the All-Star, pre-surgery version. The velocity didn’t fully return, which we were told multiple times would happen after the lights came on and the season began, but he was upper-90s and responsible for 19 saves in his 20 opportunities. He allowed only three home runs and averaged 13.0 strikeouts, but also 6.0 walks.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino had the advantage of a less-coddled Bautista after he replaced Brandon Hyde, using the right-hander on back-to-back days and with less rest. The All-Star break, however, created a large gap between appearances, with Bautista notching his 18th save in Game 1 of a July 10 doubleheader and his 19th on Sunday.
Rust was blamed for a 34-pitch outing, his highest of the season. Bautista surrendered a run, walked three batters and left the bases loaded in a 5-3 win over the Rays. The velo on his sinker averaged 97.2 mph this season but dipped to 95.8 that day.
An MRI later today will provide more information on the source of the discomfort and its severity.
“We feel great about his usage over the course of the year,” Mansolino said yesterday during his media session. “Something that’s new. It’s hard to explain some of these things as it’s hard to explain a lot of the injuries for a lot of the other guys this year.”
Mansolino apparently will go with a closer-by-committee, letting availability and matchups dictate it. Seranthony Domínguez would seem to be the first choice for as long as he’s on the team, but he worked the eighth inning yesterday with the Orioles ahead 4-3. Left-hander Gregory Soto got the ninth and retired the side in order to earn his first save since May 1, 2024 with the Phillies.
All of the bullpen shuffling has left the Orioles with Grant Wolfram, Colin Selby, Corbin Martin and Kade Strowd in the mix, and forced into higher-leverage situations. Martin got a big out yesterday on one pitch.
“They’re going to have to kind of bump up their roles and step up, so to speak, and pitch in different spots,” Mansolino said. “As currently constructed, we’ll make use of what we have.”
Keegan Akin continues his injury rehab assignment Saturday with Triple-A Norfolk and could join the ‘pen shortly. He allowed one earned run and two total in 1 1/3 innings Wednesday night after tossing a scoreless inning in the Florida Complex League.
* Ramón Laureano hit three home runs in the four-game series in Cleveland, against one of his former teams.
Laureano and Jackson Holliday are tied for the Orioles’ lead with 14 homers – exactly how everyone predicted it.
The trade deadline is less than a week away and Laureano’s value is skyrocketing, especially with a $6.5 million option for 2026.
* Coby Mayo was nailed on the left forearm by a Logan Allen cutter in the first inning but stayed in the game after plate umpire Phil Cuzzi ruled it a foul ball.
The red mark was Mayo’s counterargument.
Mayo reached base in all four plate appearances Tuesday with a single and three walks, didn’t play Wednesday and reached in his first plate appearance yesterday. He was in the lineup for only the fifth time in 18 games this month.
Ryan O’Hearn pinch-hit after Mayo went 0-for-2 with the HBP.
* Kyle Bradish pitched in a game last night for the first time since June 14, 2024, before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he allowed one run and two hits in two innings at High-A Aberdeen. He walked one batter, struck out four and threw 22 of 37 pitches for strikes.
Bradish should be reinstated from the 60-day injured list next month.
Ryan Mountcastle, on the 60-day injured list with a strained right hamstring, started at first base last night with Norfolk and hit a two-run homer in the fourth inning. He’s hit two homers with the Orioles in 52 games, the last on April 30.
Mountcastle finished 1-for-3 before TT Bowens replaced him.
Left-hander Cade Povich allowed one earned run and two total with two hits, two walks and six strikeouts over five innings. He threw 70 pitches, 42 strikes.
* Pitcher Daniel Lopez, the Orioles' 12th-round draft pick, announced on social media that he's attending the University of Kansas.
He wrote: After talking with my family and coaches, I’ve decided to return to school and continue my academic and athletic journey at the University of Kansas this season. Thank you to the Orioles and everyone who supported me. Grateful for what’s ahead! Let’s go to Omaha. #RockChalk
Lopez had a 4.89 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 16 games (six starts) in his one season at Odessa College in Texas. The freshman walked 38 batters and struck out 81 in 49 2/3 innings. The Orioles drafted him on his 19th birthday.
* The first 20,000 fans 21 and over attending tonight’s game against the Rockies will receive a floppy hat.
New Maryland men’s basketball coach Buzz Williams will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Williams will be joined on the field by members of the team.
