The Orioles will likely be with out first baseman Ryan Mountcastle for 8-12 weeks after imaging revealed a Grade 2 pressure of his proper hamstring, interim supervisor Tony Mansolino informed reporters (together with MLB.com’s Jake Rill). Baltimore positioned him on the 10-day injured record and recalled Coby Mayo final week. Mountcastle’s harm is critical sufficient that he’ll ultimately be moved to the 60-day IL when the group must create a 40-man roster spot.
A Grade 2 pressure is considered of “reasonable” severity and includes a partial muscle tear. It’s the largest blow in what has been a irritating season for the 28-year-old infielder. Mountcastle has hit .246/.280/.348 with solely two residence runs throughout 200 plate appearances. These could be career-worst numbers throughout the board. Mountcastle has been a barely higher than common hitter for many of his five-year MLB profession. Final season’s .271/.308/.425 displaying is extra consultant of his total physique of labor.
This very seemingly takes him off the board as a commerce candidate. Even a return on the quick finish of the timeline could be after the July 31 deadline. Injured gamers could be traded, however Baltimore could be hard-pressed to search out curiosity between the tough first couple months and the prolonged absence. Mountcastle is taking part in on a $6.787MM wage and can surpass the five-year service threshold. He’ll be eligible for arbitration as soon as extra subsequent winter, however a projected $7MM+ sum figures to make him a non-tender candidate. That’d be significantly true if the restoration carries in direction of the again finish of the timeline and retains him out into September.
Ryan O’Hearn has outperformed Mountcastle this season and had already taken the primary base job. Mayo has been taking part in frequently between first base and designated hitter for the previous week. The O’s activated Ramón Laureano from the injured record this afternoon. He’s in tonight at DH in opposition to A’s lefty JP Sears. Baltimore must also welcome Jordan Westburg and Gary Sánchez again comparatively quickly. Each gamers are on rehab stints at Triple-A Norfolk.
