Injuries & Moves: Stowers (wrist), Hays (ribs/back) out of lineup

June 10th, 2024

LATEST NEWS

June 10: OFs Kyle Stowers (right wrist discomfort), Austin Hays (bruised ribs/sore back) remain out of lineup
Both Stowers and Hays were out of the Orioles' lineup for Monday's series finale vs. the Rays at Tropicana Field. Each was continuing to receive treatment, though manager Brandon Hyde was optimistic the pair of outfielders could be available to come off the bench.

Stowers exited Saturday's game at Tropicana Field in the bottom of the sixth inning with soreness that stemmed from a dive the 26-year-old made on the turf field at Rogers Centre in Toronto earlier this week. He is batting .300 (9-for-30) in 15 games for Baltimore this season.

Hays underwent X-rays after getting hit by a pitch in the rib area during the ninth inning of Thursday's game at Toronto, and the imaging came back negative. The 28-year-old hit a pinch-hit double and played two innings in left field, but he hasn't appeared in a game since.

10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP Dean Kremer (right triceps strain)
Expected return: Potentially June
Kremer's injury is not a long-term concern, according to general manager Mike Elias, who said on May 31 that the 28-year-old right-hander could return before the end of June. However, Kremer might need to go on a Minor League rehab assignment before he rejoins the Orioles' rotation. He threw a side session at Tropicana Field on June 10, his third over the span of a week.

"This is not something that we’re worried about, and he’s coming along," Elias said.

Kremer was placed on the 15-day IL on May 24 (retroactive to May 21), becoming the fifth O's starter to spend time on the injured list this season. According to manager Brandon Hyde, Kremer reported soreness in his triceps after the fourth inning of his start against the Cardinals on May 20. (Last updated: June 10)

INF Jorge Mateo (concussion)
Expected return: Week of June 10
In the fourth inning of the June 2 loss to the Rays, Mateo was unintentionally hit in the back of the helmet by the bat of Cedric Mullins, who was standing in the on-deck circle. Mullins swung his bat in a circular motion and didn't realize Mateo was nearby. The 28-year-old was placed on the 7-day concussion injured list the following day.

On June 7, Mateo remained in concussion protocol, although he increased baseball activities, per manager Brandon Hyde, who expects Mateo to return during the week of June 10. (Last updated: June 10)

LHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Late 2025 or early '26
Means underwent Tommy John surgery on June 3 in Arlington, Texas. The operation was performed by Dr. Keith Meister. It is the second time Means has undergone the procedure, which he previously had in April 2022.

On May 22, Means experienced discomfort in his left elbow during a start in St. Louis. The Orioles placed him on the IL the next morning, and the lefty flew back to Baltimore for additional testing. He later received a second opinion, which resulted in the decision to end his season.

Means has made only 10 big league starts since the start of the 2022 season. He made four in September and then missed the postseason due to a flareup in his elbow, which also caused him to open the '24 campaign on the IL. He made only four starts again this season. (Last updated: June 3)

RHP Tyler Wells (right elbow inflammation)
Expected return: 2025
General manager Mike Elias announced on May 31 that Wells will undergo season-ending surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow. Whether the 29-year-old might avoid a second Tommy John surgery will be determined during his procedure. He previously underwent Tommy John in May 2019.

Throughout May, Wells had been rehabbing at the Orioles' facilities in Sarasota, Fla. He began to play catch late in the month, but he continued to experience discomfort, according to Elias.

Wells didn't bounce back from his April 6 start at Pittsburgh the way he had hoped and said he felt discomfort during his April 12 outing vs. Milwaukee. He was placed on the IL on April 16. (Last updated: May 31)

INF Coby Mayo (fractured rib; No. 3 on Orioles' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: Likely mid-June
Mayo, who is MLB Pipeline's No. 20 overall prospect, was placed on the seven-day injured list by Triple-A Norfolk on May 17, one day after he collided with the third-base dugout in the fifth inning of the Tides' 8-6 loss to Lehigh Valley. The 22-year-old third baseman initially stayed in the game, but he was pinch-hit for in the bottom of the frame.

X-rays revealed a fractured rib for Mayo. On May 31, general manager Mike Elias said Mayo's return timeline would be best measured in "weeks rather than anything beyond that."

Mayo was raking during the start of his first full season in Triple-A. Through 42 games, he slashed .291/.359/.605 with 11 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 37 RBIs. (Last updated: May 31)

60-DAY INJURED LIST

RHP (Tommy John surgery)
Expected return: Spring Training 2025
On June 7, Bautista threw from about 90 feet on the field at Tropicana Field, where the Orioles opened a four-game series vs. the Rays. The All-Star closer, who had Tommy John surgery last October, had been rehabbing in Sarasota, Fla., but he came up to visit with the team.

"Awesome to see him. Looks amazing. Looks like he's in unbelievable shape," manager Brandon Hyde said on June 7. "He's throwing the ball great. Just to have him around, honestly, brings a smile to everybody's face. Just such a warm guy, and everybody loves him."

Bautista also underwent right elbow debridement and an ulnar nerve transposition on Feb. 9 in Dallas. Dr. Keith Meister performed both the Tommy John surgery and the additional procedures. The Orioles still expect Bautista -- who was placed on the 60-day injured list on Feb. 14 -- to return for the start of the 2025 season. (Last updated: June 7)