Baltimore Orioles report: Club hitting stride despite even more injury issues
Updated: 2:31 PM EDT Apr 13, 2026
The Baltimore Orioles seemed to have found a rhythm after a rough start to the season, winning five of their last six games and finding themselves tied atop the AL East.Their recent success has come at a cost, as the injury bug continues to bother this team. Less than a week after losing pitcher Zach Eflin to Tommy John surgery, they saw three position players go down with injuries. “They don’t waver. They fight. They compete. I knew right from the jump, when everyone showed up, it was the same energy,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “Obviously, a lot of people are thinking about Zach (Eflin), you know, but also they’re ready to go out there and compete.”The biggest loss is catcher Adley Rutschman, who was having a good start to the season and was placed on the 10-day Injured List with ankle inflammation. They also lost outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a concussion, and he was placed on the 7-day Injured List. The worst of the three injuries comes from first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who broke a bone in his foot and is expected to miss significant time.”Encouraging news with Adley, we just have to nip this in the bud, and he will be good to go. With Mounty (Mountcastle), yeah, that’s a little tougher. He’s got, the fourth metacarpal is broken in his foot. Yeah, it’s tough,” Albernaz said. Despite the rough weekend for injuries, the Orioles have been playing their best baseball the past week. They went 5-1 over two series wins and, thanks to a five-game losing streak by the New York Yankees, are now tied for first place in the AL East. The Orioles have seen MVP-level play from shortstop Gunnar Henderson and newcomer Taylor Ward, who lead the AL in home runs and doubles, respectively. They are even getting better play from Pete Alonso, who has reached on base in five-straight games and drove in multiple runs for the first time as an Oriole in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco Giants. Steady performances from Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson have helped them overcome the injuries in the infield. They have also gotten great spot starts from pitchers Cade Povich and Brandon Young.Albernaz has pushed the right buttons so far, but this recent string of injuries will make filling out a lineup that much harder, and it will take some creativity to keep the recent streak of good play going. Up nextThe Orioles will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series at home before heading on a road trip that will take them to Cleveland before heading to Kansas City for a seven-game road trip.
BALTIMORE —
The Baltimore Orioles seemed to have found a rhythm after a rough start to the season, winning five of their last six games and finding themselves tied atop the AL East.
Their recent success has come at a cost, as the injury bug continues to bother this team. Less than a week after losing pitcher Zach Eflin to Tommy John surgery, they saw three position players go down with injuries.
“They don’t waver. They fight. They compete. I knew right from the jump, when everyone showed up, it was the same energy,” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. “Obviously, a lot of people are thinking about Zach (Eflin), you know, but also they’re ready to go out there and compete.”
The biggest loss is catcher Adley Rutschman, who was having a good start to the season and was placed on the 10-day Injured List with ankle inflammation. They also lost outfielder Tyler O’Neill to a concussion, and he was placed on the 7-day Injured List. The worst of the three injuries comes from first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who broke a bone in his foot and is expected to miss significant time.
“Encouraging news with Adley, we just have to nip this in the bud, and he will be good to go. With Mounty (Mountcastle), yeah, that’s a little tougher. He’s got, the fourth metacarpal is broken in his foot. Yeah, it’s tough,” Albernaz said.
Despite the rough weekend for injuries, the Orioles have been playing their best baseball the past week. They went 5-1 over two series wins and, thanks to a five-game losing streak by the New York Yankees, are now tied for first place in the AL East. The Orioles have seen MVP-level play from shortstop Gunnar Henderson and newcomer Taylor Ward, who lead the AL in home runs and doubles, respectively.
They are even getting better play from Pete Alonso, who has reached on base in five-straight games and drove in multiple runs for the first time as an Oriole in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco Giants. Steady performances from Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson have helped them overcome the injuries in the infield. They have also gotten great spot starts from pitchers Cade Povich and Brandon Young.
Albernaz has pushed the right buttons so far, but this recent string of injuries will make filling out a lineup that much harder, and it will take some creativity to keep the recent streak of good play going.
Up next
The Orioles will host the Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series at home before heading on a road trip that will take them to Cleveland before heading to Kansas City for a seven-game road trip.
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