The Baltimore Orioles activated outfielder Colton Cowser off the 60-day injured list, the team announced Monday. In a corresponding move, they designated utilityman Cooper Hummel for assignment to clear a spot for the outfielder.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/eA1hxZqX0t
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) June 2, 2025
Cowser’s return comes at a time when the team’s offense is well below expectations. In the outfield, where Heston Kjerstad has struggled immensely and Tyler O’Neill isn’t performing at the level he did with the Boston Red Sox, Cowser is a welcome addition.
Colton Cowser Activated by Orioles
Cowser Dominated In Rehab Games
Colton Cowser knocks a leadoff double in his first action with Norfolk on MLB Rehab. pic.twitter.com/Yi7u2SQXR9
— Norfolk Tides (@NorfolkTides) May 29, 2025
In six games in the minors, Cowser batted an impressive .400/.500/1.250 with a home run and four doubles. Given that the 2024 American League Rookie of the Year runner-up was dealing with a thumb injury, the stint likely erased most, if not all concerns.
Colton Cowser looks healthy to us, @Orioles 😏
His latest rehab game with the @NorfolkTides:
First-pitch single, 110.1 mph
Stolen base, 27.5 ft/sec
2-run double, 108.7 mph pic.twitter.com/JwNgdvJqHc— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) June 1, 2025
Judging by his stats in his June 1 game, he seems to be ready to come back and provide for the team. For the Orioles, who are in desperate need of a spark anywhere in their lineup, it’s more than welcome.
Where Cowser Fits in the Lineup
In 2024, Cowser slashed a .242/.321/.768 with 24 home runs and 24 doubles along with three triples. He did have an issue with strikeouts, however, recording 172 strikeouts over 499 plate appearances. Nevertheless, his first full season garnered enough attention to catch votes for Rookie of the Year.
A former top-100 prospect in baseball, Cowser ranked extremely high in barrels, maximum exit velocity, and bat speed in 2024. He also had high marks in his defense and arm strength. Again, the only glaring issues were his whiff rate and strikeout percentage, the latter in the bottom 7% of the league.
It’s very possible Cowser immediately takes Kjerstad’s left field position given his significant issues at the plate. However, the outfielder’s not destined to explode right out of the gate. It will take time to get accustomed to major-league pitching and get his bat speed to normal.
Main Photo Credit: © Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
