On Monday morning, the Baltimore Orioles got some bad news on outfielder Colton Cowser, who finished last year as runner-up for the Rookie of the Year award. On Sunday, he made an ill-advised dive into 1B and bent his thumb backward on the base.
Bad injury news for the Orioles:
Colton Cowser fractured his left thumb, the Orioles announced. He’s been placed on the 10-day IL.
Dylan Carlson has been recalled from Triple-A.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) March 31, 2025
The team placed him on the injured list and announced the diagnosis on Monday, but they did not set a firm timeline yet for his return. Typically, thumb fractures require at least a month-long injury, depending on if surgery is needed. Expect an update on his exact timeline as the Orioles determine if he needs a procedure or just rest.
Fantasy baseball impact
Cowser hit leadoff for all four games in the Orioles series against the Blue Jays, going 2-for-16 (.125) with a home run and two walks. Last season, he hit 242 with 24 home runs, nine stolen bases and a .331 wOBA in his first full season in the MLB. He was expected to anchor the Orioles lineup, especially in the short-term with Gunnar Henderson (intercostal) also on IL.
The O’s called up Dylan Carlson from Triple-A, but he’ll probably be behind Heston Kjerstad ($3,300) for playing time even though the veteran had a good spring. Kjerstad is 0-for-3 with a hit-by-pitch and a sacrifice fly in the early going, but with Cowser out, he should get more at-bats against righties and not be stuck in a platoon.
Baltimore opens a three-game set with the Red Sox at home on Monday afternoon, and Kjerstad will likely get the start against lefty Sean Newcomb ($7,000).
