Orioles Face Mounting Injury Concerns as Tyler O’Neill Added to IL
BALTIMORE – The Baltimore Orioles’ injury woes continue to pile up. As of Sunday afternoon, the team announced that outfielder Tyler O’Neill has been placed on the 7-day concussion injured list (IL), retroactive to Thursday. This brings the total number of Orioles players currently on the IL to a concerning 12.
O’Neill, 30, had already missed the first two games of the series against the San Francisco Giants, with the team initially citing he was “under the weather.” This latest setback is particularly frustrating for the outfielder, who has a history of injuries throughout his nine-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, having been placed on the IL a total of 18 times.
A History of Injuries for O’Neill
Prior to joining the Orioles, O’Neill signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal before the 2025 season. However, his first year in Baltimore was significantly hampered by injuries, limiting him to just 54 games and requiring three separate IL stints for neck inflammation, left shoulder impingement, and right wrist inflammation. He previously landed on the concussion IL during his time with the Boston Red Sox in 2024 (April 16-23).
Through 10 games this season, O’Neill was performing at a .241 batting average, with one home run, four RBIs, and a .698 OPS. The cause of his current concussion symptoms remains unknown.
Roster Moves and Outlook
In a corresponding move, the Orioles have recalled outfielder Johnathan Rodríguez from Triple-A Norfolk. Rodríguez, acquired in a trade with the Cleveland Guardians on March 29, has been hitting .333 (8-for-24) with one double and two RBIs in eight games for Norfolk. He will provide depth to the outfield.
With O’Neill sidelined, the Orioles are expected to rely on Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, and Dylan Beavers as their primary outfielders. Leody Taveras will likely see occasional starts, while Rodríguez will serve as a valuable bench option.
Orioles’ Injury-Plagued Seasons
The Orioles experienced a significant number of injuries in 2025, utilizing the IL 39 times for 29 different players. Despite this, they finished with a 75-87 record and in last place in the American League East. The team’s 7-7 start to the 2026 season has been similarly affected by injuries, raising concerns about their ability to compete in a tough division. You can find more information about MLB injuries and team performance on MLB.com.
The Orioles will need to overcome these challenges if they hope to improve upon their previous season’s performance. Stay tuned for updates on the Orioles game today and the team’s injury situation.
