Red Sox Rival Places First Baseman On 60-Day Injured List
It’s been a year of regression for the Baltimore Orioles after an influx of young talent helped change the trajectory of the franchise over the previous two seasons. Currently sitting in last place in the American League East, the team is expected to be sellers before the trade deadline next month.
Selling at the deadline is starting to look more likely for the Boston Red Sox division rival, especially after the team announced first baseman/outfielder Ryan Mountcastle was placed on the 60-day injured list with a right hamstring strain. He was previously placed on the 10-day IL on May 31.
With Mountcastle’s absence likely to linger well into the summer, all attention shifts to what Baltimore plans to do with interim first baseman Ryan O’Hearn. The eight-year veteran has been the subject of recent trade rumors after batting .305 with 10 home runs and 29 RBI in 65 games this season.
The Red Sox are one of the many teams who have been connected to O’Hearn this summer. Since starting first baseman Triston Casas went down with a ruptured patellar tendon on May 2, the team has primarily used a platoon of Abraham Toro and Romy González at the position, with recently demoted rookie Kristian Campbell expected to familiarize himself at first base over the next few weeks in Worcester.
Following the recent injury to catcher Adley Rutschman, who the team placed on the 10-day IL (oblique strain), its possible Baltimore will soon make the decision to trade players like O’Hearn, outfielder Cedric Mullins, and closer Félix Bautista for young talent and focus on contending in 2026.
Speaking about his recent increase in All-Star voting totals after Rafael Devers was traded, O’Hearn jokingly thanked Red Sox general manager Craig Breslow for helping him receive more fan votes.
That being said, the Red Sox front office will certainly be monitoring the Orioles’ plans moving forward, especially after the recent injury to Mountcastle.