The Orioles knew the risks when they signed Tyler O’Neill.
Only once in his career had the veteran outfielder played a full season, arriving in Baltimore on a three-year, $49.5 million deal this offseason with 14 trips to the injured list on his record. O’Neill’s power was undeniable — he mashed 31 home runs in only 113 games last year — but the Orioles acquired him understanding that he wasn’t going to play all 162.
So far, those risks have proven to be legitimate concerns. O’Neill, 30, has returned to the IL twice with separate neck and shoulder injuries in his first season with the Orioles, limiting him to 36 games in which he’s slashed .211/.298/.398 with just five homers and 15 RBIs.
With Baltimore (46-58) already beginning to act like sellers ahead of Thursday’s trade deadline, O’Neill has been among the most disappointing players on the roster this year.
“It’s been a grind, man,” O’Neill said. “It hasn’t been easy. Obviously, I’ve been injured a lot and just trying to fight my way back and figure out that routine in the cage and the prep and all that stuff. So, hopefully I’m figuring out that click now and can continue forward.
“Unfortunately, I have been dealt with the injury bug this year. Obviously, I’m doing what I have to do to make those adaptations and get myself ready on a day-to-day basis, and there’s something new every year. There’s something new every day, honestly. Just trying to keep the progress.”
His injuries have had lingering effects on his performance at the plate. O’Neill tried to play through the neck inflammation that sidelined him in late April even though he wasn’t able to turn his head all the way to either side. He then attempted to come back too early from his shoulder impingement in June and had to shut back down, undergoing platelet-rich plasma injections before finally making it back in early July.
The constant injury management and time in the trainer’s room has affected his ability to get his swing mechanics in a good place.
“I think as his body got beat up, he was unable to do the work in the cage necessary to make the corrections he needed to make as his swing got out of whack,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Tyler is a needs-his-swing-to-feel-good guy, and I think lately as his body has felt better and his health has improved, he’s had the ability to get in the cage and take the reps he’s needed to make the corrections he’s had. So, as I watch him start to perform on the field, it absolutely coincides with the amount of work he’s been able to do in the cage.”
After dealing with some “general soreness” and missing two more games last week, O’Neill has come back showing signs of progress. He’s collected multiple hits in three straight contests, going 6-for-10 with two home runs and a double. The Orioles brought the right-handed O’Neill in to help address their struggles against left-handed pitchers, and he has as many hits against them over the past three days (three) as he did the entire season to that point.
“I’m feeling pretty good in there right now,” O’Neill said. “Just really enjoy being here with these guys, man. It’s such a good group of guys here, and I just want to be out there grinding with them. It’s fun playing every day.”
It’s an encouraging sign for a player the Orioles are likely to have under contract for the next two seasons. O’Neill has an opt-out that he could exercise this winter to reenter free agency, but he would have to finish the season on a Babe Ruth-caliber tear to justify walking away from the remaining $33 million on his deal. Even then, it might not be enough because of the injuries.
With Cedric Mullins a popular trade candidate and Heston Kjerstad demoted back to Triple-A Norfolk after struggling mightily in his first full season at the major league level, O’Neill and Colton Cowser are the only outfielders the Orioles can write in their starting lineup with permanent marker. Just how confident they feel in O’Neill’s value could go a long way in determining whether they trade Ramón Laureano, who has a 2026 team option, this week.
The playoffs are out of the question for the Orioles at this point but as they turn their attention to 2026, helping O’Neill finish the year strong is among the most important priorities for the club in its quest to rebound next season — almost as important as keeping him healthy.
Have a news tip? Contact Matt Weyrich at mweyrich@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/ByMattWeyrich and instagram.com/bymattweyrich.
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