The Baltimore Orioles have announced that outfielder Colton Cowser has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left thumb fracture. The injury occurred during Tuesday’s game against the Boston Red Sox, when Cowser slid into second base and jammed his thumb.
Cowser, who was drafted by the Orioles with the fifth overall pick in the 2021 MLB draft, has been one of the team’s top prospects. He made his major league debut last season and has been impressive in his limited time with the team, hitting .250 with two home runs and five RBIs in 15 games.
The Orioles are expected to recall outfielder Kyle Stowers from Triple-A Norfolk to take Cowser’s place on the active roster. Stowers has been hitting .300 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in 20 games with the Tides this season.
Cowser’s injury is a significant blow to the Orioles, who are already dealing with a number of injuries to key players. The team is expected to provide an update on Cowser’s status in the coming days, but it’s likely that he will be out for at least several weeks.
“Colton is a big part of our team, and we’re going to miss him,” said Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. “But we have a deep roster, and we’re confident that Kyle Stowers can step in and contribute. We’re looking forward to getting Colton back on the field as soon as possible.”
Cowser’s injury is the latest in a string of setbacks for the Orioles, who have been dealing with injuries to several key players, including catcher Adley Rutschman and infielder Gunnar Henderson. The team is hoping to get some of its injured players back on the field soon, but in the meantime, they will have to rely on some of their younger players to step up and contribute.
Despite the injuries, the Orioles have been playing well, winning five of their last seven games. They are currently in third place in the American League East, just a few games behind the division-leading New York Yankees.
The Orioles will look to continue their winning ways without Cowser, starting with Wednesday’s game against the Red Sox. They will be facing a tough test, but they are confident that they have the talent and depth to overcome the loss of one of their top players.