BALTIMORE — Colton Cowser clearly remembers the play on March 30 that resulted in his fractured left thumb, an injury that’s kept the Orioles outfielder out of action since. Speaking publicly for the first time on Sunday, Cowser reflected on the moment during the seventh inning of a game against Toronto, when he slid into first base — a split-second decision that he now realizes may not have been the wisest.
“In hindsight, I should have just run through the bag,” Cowser admitted. “But it was a quick play — I saw the pitcher covering, the throw was up the line, and my instincts kicked in to avoid the tag.”
Although the 25-year-old acknowledged it wasn’t a textbook play, he emphasized that his aggressive style of play won’t change. “I could’ve jogged down the line, but I was trying to help my team by getting the tying run to the plate. Hustling is who I am — though I’ll definitely try to be a little smarter in those situations moving forward.”
Baltimore has stumbled out of the gate this season, posting a 15-31 record heading into Tuesday. While underperformance in pitching, offense, and defense are factors, a string of key injuries — including Cowser, Jordan Westburg (hamstring), Tyler O’Neill (shoulder), and Grayson Rodriguez (elbow/lat) — has also played a role.
“Luck and injuries aren’t the whole story, but they’re part of it,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino, who stepped in after Brandon Hyde’s departure over the weekend.
There’s hope Cowser will return by mid-June. He’s resumed batting practice and is expected to begin a Minor League rehab stint soon, as his thumb is fully healed with no remaining restrictions.
Though Cowser had a slow start to 2025 (just 2-for-16 in four games), he was the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up, slashing .242 with 24 homers, 69 RBIs, and a .768 OPS over 153 games. His return could be a much-needed offensive spark for the struggling Orioles.
In the meantime, Cowser remains with the club, doing what he can to uplift the team.
“It’s been tough, no doubt,” he said. “This is new territory for me, but I’m trying to stay positive — be a help, not a hindrance. I just want to keep showing up, staying focused, and being a source of energy rather than a drain.”
