Story by
Baltimore Orioles Manager Delivers Tyler O’Neill Update During Guardians Series
- Story by
- Baltimore Orioles Manager Delivers Tyler O’Neill Update During Guardians Series
(Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images)
The Baltimore Orioles were hoping that when they signed Tyler O'Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million deal two winters ago he would be a reliable middle-of-the-order force at the plate. Unfortunately he has not been that, though the blame does not fall fully on him given his persistent injury issues.
In 2025, O'Neill landed on the injured list three separate times with a neck issue, left shoulder impingement and right wrist inflammation. This year he has dealt with a concussion, but his most recent injury is certainly the most serious.
Advertisement
During a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in late August, he made a game-saving catch, putting everything on the line. In doing so he strained his right rotator cuff and was placed on the 10-day injured list shortly after. Manager Craig Albernaz spoke with reporters during Baltimore's current series against the Cleveland Guardians and had an unfortunate update.
"Tyler O'Neill's right shoulder hasn't been responding the way he had hoped it would," Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said, per Jake Rill of MLB.com .
O'Neill has played just 139 games across two seasons in Baltimore, and that total will almost certainly not grow this year. He has struggled at the plate since joining the organization, owning a .206 batting average, .296 on-base percentage and .680 OPS during that stretch.
However, before going down he did appear to be turning a corner offensively, showing flashes of the hitter he was before coming to Baltimore. Historically he has been an above-average offensive player, and as a two-time Gold Glove Award winner his defensive credentials are elite. His accumulating physical issues have disrupted his ability to play at that level consistently.
Advertisement
With O'Neill's return this year looking increasingly unlikely and Baltimore sitting well out of the playoff picture following their recent losing streak, the focus will shift toward what he can bring to the organization in 2027.
That conversation will also involve a decision on whether the Orioles want to continue investing in a player who has appeared in fewer than 100 games per season during his time in Baltimore.
What makes his absence even more frustrating is that the player claimed off waivers to replace him, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. , also suffered a hamstring injury and is also unavailable, leaving the Orioles to piece together their outfield with limited options down the stretch. Rece Hinds has taken over for now.
The Orioles are still technically alive in the playoff race, which could give O'Neill additional time to attempt a return, but that scenario looks less realistic with each passing day.
