Ryan

Mountcastle

Wall-timore no more? The Orioles famously — or possibly infamously — made changes to left field before the 2023 season, and it’s obviously created a more difficult hitting park; particularly for right-handed hitters. Elias told reporters the wall will be moved in between 9 and 20 feet after the team “overcorrected” in it’s initial move. This is a boost to several hitters in the Baltimore lineup like Adley Rutschman and Ryan Mountcastle, but maybe a bit of a hit on some of the pitchers. Long live Wall-timore.

Mountcastle missed a month with a wrist injury. He was just 1-for-11 with six strikeouts on his rehab assignment, and one wonders if the Orioles might mostly spot him against lefties for now. They’re currently slated to face just one of those (Nestor Cortes on Wednesday) this week.

Mountcastle is playing in his first rehab game as he works his way back from the wrist injury that has sidelined him since August. He’ll likely need a few games with the Tide, and then could/should return to Baltimore for the final contests of the regular campaign.

Mountcastle was placed on the IL on August 26th and has struggled to get over the hump in his recovery. However, things seem to be turning the corner for the 27-year-old, who could return to the Orioles lineup sometime next week. It may be too late for fantasy managers, but the Orioles will certainly welcome it.

Mountcastle last played on Aug. 22 and surely won’t be back for at least another week. “Showing a little bit of progress,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s still not coming along the way we were hoping.”

“No idea,” Hyde said when asked. The infielder is feeling better according to the manager, but Mountcastle still hasn’t started to swing yet. Mountcastle seems likely to return before the season comes to an end, but it sounds like this will be closer to the end of September than the beginning.

Mountcastle had already missed three games with the injury. The Orioles will likely platoon Ryan O’Hearn and Emmanuel Rivera at first until Mountcastle returns. Eloy Jimenez could receive some additional DH time against righties, since that’s usually O’Hearn’s role.

Mountcastle left Thursday’s game due to soreness in his right wrist and then wound up sitting out the entire weekend series against the Astros. There haven’t been any rumblings about him landing on the injured list just yet, but if this continues to drag on the Orioles’ may be forced to make a move.

Mountcastle will sit out his second straight contest on Saturday afternoon following an early exit from Thursday’s contest due to right wrist soreness. He’ll continue receiving treatment and it sounds like a strong possibility he’ll avoid a trip to the injured list.

Mountcastle was pulled from Thursday’s game due to soreness in his wrist. It doesn’t sound like the team is overly concerned, as there has been no mention of a possible trip to the injured list, but Mountcastle may still need a couple of days before he’s ready to return to action. Ryan O’Hearn will start at first base and will bat fifth against Hunter Brown and the Astros on Friday.