After being eliminated by the Kansas City Royals in the postseason, the Baltimore Orioles announced that rookie outfielder Colton Cowser broke his left hand.
While it appears that surgery won’t be necessary, the injury could still affect his offseason activities and preparation. Cowser, who made his MLB debut during the 2023 season, is a key piece of the Orioles’ future, and this setback might influence his development and readiness for the 2024 campaign.
The Orioles will likely monitor Cowser closely to ensure he recovers fully, as he is expected to be an important part of their outfield mix moving forward.
Colton Cowser’s broken hand occurred during a pivotal moment in the Orioles’ season-ending loss to the Kansas City Royals. With the game tied 1-1 in the fifth inning, Cowser faced K.C. reliever Angel Zerpa with the bases loaded and one out. On a 1-2 count, Zerpa threw a 97 mph fastball** up and in, which Cowser swung at, only for the pitch to strike his top hand. Despite being hit, he was called out on strikes, and Zerpa managed to escape the inning unscathed by getting Adley Rutschman to ground out. The Royals took advantage in the next half-inning, scoring the eventual game-winning run to secure a 2-1 victory and sweep Baltimore out of the postseason.
Cowser’s injury adds another layer of disappointment to the Orioles’ exit, with the team managing just one run across both games—Cedric Mullins’ home run. For Cowser, it was an unfortunate end to an otherwise promising rookie season. The former fifth overall pick impressed during the year, slashing .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs in 561 plate appearances, making him a strong contender for AL Rookie of the Year consideration. His offseason may now be affected by the injury, though the lack of surgery suggests a less severe recovery timeline.
Colton Cowser’s rookie season showcased his power potential, hitting 24 home runs, but his high strikeout rate (over 30%) remains a concern. To evolve into an elite hitter, he’ll need to cut down on the swing-and-miss in his game and make more consistent contact. Despite that, Cowser’s power and strong defense in left field make him a solid everyday player for the Orioles.
Baltimore could see a significant shakeup in the outfield this offseason. Anthony Santander, coming off a 44-homer season, is set to become a free agent and will likely reject a qualifying offer. If Santander leaves, the Orioles could turn to Heston Kjerstad to fill the corner outfield spot opposite Cowser. Kjerstad has been a highly regarded prospect and could be a natural replacement.
There’s also uncertainty surrounding Cedric Mullins, who the Orioles reportedly considered trading this past summer. Though Mullins struggled through an extended slump, he bounced back in the second half, posting a .266/.374/.457 slash line. With Mullins entering his final season of arbitration—projected to earn $8.7 million—the O’s will need to decide whether to retain him, trade him, or offer an extension as part of their potential outfield restructuring.
