A member of last year’s Boston Red Sox squad hasn’t enjoyed the same success with an American League East competitor.
Tyler O’Neill powered Boston’s lineup with 31 home runs in 113 games last season. The outfielder parlayed that success into a three-year, $49.5 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles, where he’s continued an unfortunate career trend by struggling to stay healthy.
Baltimore placed O’Neill on the 10-day injured list Friday with right wrist inflammation. The move, retroactive to Wednesday, marks his third IL stint of the season.
O’Neill missed a little over two weeks with a neck injury early in the season but lasted six games before returning to the shelf with shoulder impingement on May 15. He paused a rehab assignment to receive a platelet-rich plasma injection before returning on July 4.
Although he’s batting .210 this season, O’Neill turned a corner before this latest setback. The 30-year-old had a .595 OPS prior to homering in four straight games late last month.
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O’Neill went yard again during Monday’s 13-3 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, but he’s only played in three of Baltimore’s last six games.
He’s not the only Orioles outfielder who will miss time. Baltimore, which traded center fielder Cedric Mullins to the New York Mets last week, also placed Colton Cowser on the seven-day concussion IL on Friday.
The Orioles will at least welcome back another position player, as they activated Ryan Mountcastle from the 60-day IL. Their starting first baseman hasn’t played since May 30 due to a right hamstring strain.
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O’Neill must return from the IL as soon as he’s eligible to play at Fenway Park on Aug. 18 and 19.
Featured image via Paul Rutherford/Imagn Images
