Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (thumb) continues to improve from a fractured left thumb and is targeting a late-May, early-June return, according to general manager Mike Elias. Cowser initially suffered his broken thumb at the end of March and was given a six- to eight-week timetable. He went 2-for-16 with a home run and an RBI in his first four games this year before getting injured, but Cowser deserves to be held in most fantasy formats due to his potential for a breakout when healthy. The 25-year-old slashed .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs, 69 RBI, nine stolen bases and 77 runs scored in 153 games in 2024 in his first full season in the majors. Until Cowser is able to return, Heston Kjerstad should continue to see regular at-bats as the team's primary left fielder. Kjerstad has so far been cold, batting .222 (8-for-36) with a homer, two doubles and six RBI in 13 games played.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (thumb) is expected to miss at least 6-to-8 weeks. Cowser suffered a fractured thumb during Sunday's contest against the Blue Jays. He sustained this injury while attempting to slide for first base. The Orioles placed Cowser on the 10-day injured list earlier on Monday and recalled Dylan Carlson from Triple-A in a corresponding move. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Cowser to miss a significant portion of the first half of the campaign. Last season, the 26-year-old had an everyday role in the starting nine and posted a .242/.321/.447 slash line 24 long balls and nine home runs. While Cowser remains out, fantasy managers should expect Heston Kjerstad and Ramon Laureano to have an uptick in playing time.
Colton Cowser Placed On 10-Day Injured List, Dylan Carlson Recalled
The Baltimore Orioles have placed outfielder Colton Cowser (thumb) on the 10-day injured list due to a fracture in his left thumb. In a corresponding move, the Orioles promoted outfielder Dylan Carlson to the MLB roster. Cowser sustained this injury during their contest against the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday. Cowser apparently injured his thumb when sliding for a base. He was replaced by a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of that game. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring his status but expect him to remain sidelined for the foreseeable future. While Cowser remains sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Ramon Laureano and Heston Kjerstad to see an increase in opportunities in the corner outfield spots. Kjerstad got the starting nod on March 29, suggesting he may be slightly higher than Laureano on the depth chart. Carlson will likely only have a depth role in the outfield.
Colton Cowser Takes Live Batting Practice On Tuesday
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (hand) was seen taking live batting practice at spring training camp on Tuesday. Cowser had surgery to fix a left-hand fracture in October of last year but he seems fully healthy now and should be 100 percent for Opening Day at the end of March. The 24-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder should pretty much be an everyday outfielder for the O's in 2025 given his great glove and ability to play all three outfield positions. Fantasy managers should consider him a top-50 outfielder after he finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2024 by slashing .242/.321/.447 with a .768 OPS, 24 home runs, 69 RBI, nine steals and 77 runs scored in 153 games. Cowser struck out at a 30.7% rate last year, but he made up for it thanks to a 90th percentile barrel rate and 77th percentile hard-hit rate.
Colton Cowser Will Not Face Limitations Due To Hand Surgery
According to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (hand) is fully healthy following his offseason hand surgery. When asked about his status, Cowser said he is physically ready for spring training and will not miss any time. Over the offseason, the young outfielder underwent surgery on his fractured left hand. However, fantasy managers should not expect the former top prospect to face any limitations during spring training. Last season, the 24-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign as he launched 24 home runs with a .242/.321/.447 slash line. He swiped nine bags and added 77 runs and 69 RBI. Under the hood, Cowser generated a strong 13.6 percent barrel rate and a 46.1 percent hard-hit rate. Cowser remains a solid pick for power and counting stats batting in a potent Baltimore lineup.
Colton Cowser Has Surgery, Expected To Be Ready For Spring Training
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Tuesday that rookie outfielder Colton Cowser (hand) had successful surgery on his fractured hand, and he's expected to be ready to go for spring training next February. Cowser fractured his left hand in the team's Game 2 loss of the American League Wild-Card Series to get eliminated from the postseason by the Kansas City Royals. It was a tough way to end what was really a great season for the 24-year-old in his first full season in the big leagues in 2024. The good news is that Cowser will have plenty of time to heal up in order to be ready for the start of spring training and the 2025 regular season. In his 153 games played for Baltimore during the regular season, Cowser slashed .242/.321/.447 with a .768 OPS, 24 home runs, 69 RBI and nine stolen bases. He'll be a regular starter in the outfield for the O's to begin the 2025 campaign.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser (hand) was hit by a pitch in the left hand during Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the Royals, eliminating the Orioles from the playoffs. It was a double whammy for the 24-year-old, as it resulted in a fractured hand and also went down as a strike instead of a hit-by-pitch because he was in the act of swinging, which wound up as a strikeout. With the O's out of the playoffs, the left-handed hitter will be fully recovered by spring training. He finished the regular season with a strong rookie year, putting together a .242-24-69-77-9 line in 561 PA.
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser is not in Sunday's lineup as the Orioles look to clinch a series victory against the Colorado Rockies. Cowser started each of the past 23 games and will take a routine maintenance day. As a result, Austin Slater will cover left field, Anthony Santander right field, and Cedric Mullins II will slot in center this afternoon. Fantasy managers should expect Cowser to return to the starting nine on Monday as the Orioles play host to the Chicago White Sox. Across his past eight games, Cowser has held a modest .226/.294/.484 line with two home runs. The entire Baltimore offense is worth stacking in DFS today as they face Colorado southpaw Ty Blach, who carries a hefty 6.36 ERA.
Colton Cowser Leads Off Game With 18th Homer Of Season
Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser continued his push for AL Rookie of the Year by hitting a leadoff homer in the Orioles' 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday. Cowser's leadoff shot came off of Zack Littell. It was the lefty's only hit of the day but set the pace for a strong showing from Baltimore, who continues to dominate the Rays in 2024 as they are now 7-1 against Tampa. Cowser is aiming to be Baltimore's second straight Rookie of the Year winner and was voted by MLB.com writers as the current leader of the award in their most recent poll. His .340 wOBA ranks second among AL rookies with at least 300 PA behind only Boston's Wilyer Abreu. He'll look to continue his hot second half on Saturday against the Rays, who have yet to name a scheduled starter.
Baltimore Orioles rookie outfielder Colton Cowser continued his hot hitting versus the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday. Leading off, Cowser went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer and four RBI. Cowser has really turned it on in the second half and began hitting first against right-handed pitching. With outfielder Austin Hays dealt to the Philadelphia Phillies before the trade deadline, Cowser officially was handed the left field job and is making the Orioles and fantasy managers appreciative of that move. Over the last month, Cowser has hit .330 with five homers, 19 RBI and a pair of stolen bases. Some managers may have been inpatient with his sporadic playing time earlier in the season, but with an everyday role Cowser is worth rostering in all formats.
Colton Cowser
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Orioles
