Orioles facing more roster decisions

Outfielder Colton Cowser and infielder Jordan Westburg couldn’t escape the rain last night at Triple-A Norfolk, where their rehab assignments remained on hold due to another postponement. Cowser got a head start with four games at High-A Aberdeen, but his injury dated further back with a fractured left thumb on March 30.

Westburg strained his left hamstring and hasn’t appeared in a game with the Orioles since April 26. His workouts and rehab assignment with Norfolk were delayed after he experienced a setback, but he’s in motion again.

Cowser is on the 60-day IL and eligible to be reinstated on Friday. Westburg may not be far behind. And that leaves the Orioles with some difficult but happily anticipated roster decisions.

The offense needs Cowser and Westburg to provide competitive at-bats and drive in runners in scoring position. The Orioles went 1-for-14 Tuesday night and are batting .208 in these situations. They’ll take whatever boost the duo can give them, along with the defense.

No one could have anticipated that this is how the Orioles would construct their roster in late May. It’s rare that they carry three catchers before September, but keeping Adley Rutschman off the concussion injured list and Gary Sánchez’s wrist inflammation have brought Maverick Handley and Chadwick Tromp into the clubhouse. Emmanual Rivera missed a big chunk of spring training with a sore shoulder but he’s making starts at the infield corners. Dylan Carlson is an extra outfielder with three minor league options who has left the shuttle parked while Tyler O’Neill is on the IL with a left shoulder impingement.

Having Yaramil Hiraldo in the bullpen was the cherry on top of this surprise sundae before the Orioles optioned him yesterday and selected Matt Bowman’s contract.

The Orioles have used 44 players and six have made major league debuts, with Tomoyuki Sugano the only one on the Opening Day roster. The list includes Handley, Hiraldo and pitchers Brandon Young, Kade Strowd and Grant Wolfram. The major league record for most players used is 70 by the 2024 Marlins.

While other debuts are pending, the most anticipated being No. 1 prospect Samuel Basallo, who has caught only five times with Norfolk this season and needs more time, the Orioles will be busy figuring out how to make space for Cowser and Westburg. They also know that outfielder Ramón Laureano will be back soon from a sprained left ankle after hitting in the cage this week.

Rutschman is tied into it. His clearance to begin playing again sends Handley back down to Triple-A or Tromp to the waiver wire because he’s out of options.

That’s one corresponding move.

Carlson is used to his vulnerable status, having been optioned twice already this season. But do the Orioles make it three or would they consider sending down Heston Kjerstad, who’s batting .190/.238/.307 in 147 plate appearances? He’s 3-for-32 with 10 strikeouts in his last eight games. Carlson had a 5-for-12 stretch with two home runs, went 0-for-4 Tuesday night and singled twice last night and drove in a run. He’s also the better defender.

It's more complicated than that, of course. The Orioles vowed in spring training to give Kjerstad, the second-overall draft pick in 2020, a significant number of at-bats because he earned them. The door swung wide open the minute that Cowser dived into first base in Toronto. O’Neill has gone on the IL twice. Kjerstad is scuffling and could be subjected to a reset, or the Orioles check the standings again and use this time for a full evaluation that can only be done with consistent starts.

“The big leagues are hard,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino. “I think it’s more normal to see guys in their rookie year when they first get to the big leagues to struggle. I don’t think that’s unusual by any means. And he’s struggled a little bit to his standard and who he is, so he’s fighting through it. I know he’s in the cage with our group and they’re constantly trying to figure out how to help him.

“He’s a tough kid. He’s strong mentally, as well. He’s working through it, and I would not be shocked here in the near future if he kind of gets the ship righted and gets moving in the right direction.”

The Orioles have six infielders and Westburg would make seven. They could subtract Rivera, who’d need to be designated for assignment again.

Cowser, Westburg and Laureano require three moves. A third catcher is an obvious one, but the rest aren’t as easy to decipher.

Cowser is 2-for-16 with six strikeouts in four games. He homered on March 29. Westburg is slashing .217/.265/.391 with two doubles, a triple, four homers and 22 strikeouts in 23 games. Laureano’s hitting .266/.320/.532 with seven doubles, six homers and 11 RBIs in 36 games after his 11-for-21 stretch.

"We have a bunch of really good players in here, but to be able to have those guys back would be pretty awesome," said Jackson Holliday. "I think it will be great to have Cowser back, and obviously Westy. But I'm excited to get Cowser back. Only had him for a few games at the beginning of the year and he's a big impact on this team for sure."