The Baltimore Orioles may have suffered another frustrating blow in an already turbulent season, as outfielder Tyler O’Neill was removed during Tuesday’s second game of a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies due to right wrist discomfort. The Orioles went on to lose 5–0, dropping to 51–63 and remaining in last place in the AL East. The timing of the injury couldn’t be worse.
The incident occurred in the later innings at Citizens Bank Park. MASN’s Roch Kubatko took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to report the first sign of trouble for the Orioles veteran.
“Ryan Noda on deck to bat for Tyler O'Neill #orioles”
A few minutes later, Kubatko provided further clarity on the reason behind O’Neill’s sudden exit.
“Right wrist discomfort for O'Neill #orioles”
The O’Neill injury continues an unfortunate trend. After signing a three-year, $48 million deal this offseason, the former two-time Gold Glove winner has been sidelined multiple times in 2025. He dealt with neck inflammation in April, followed by a left shoulder impingement that kept him out from mid-May to early July. He also recently missed time due to illness.
Despite returning just last week, O’Neill’s rhythm at the plate had been inconsistent. His season stats include a .213 batting average with eight home runs and 23 RBIs across 42 games. The right-handed slugger was expected to bring power and veteran presence to a developing Baltimore roster, but injuries have disrupted his role repeatedly.
The immediate concern is how this right wrist discomfort affects not only O’Neill’s availability but also the Orioles' offensive structure. His replacement, Ryan Noda, was recently claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox and has served primarily as a bench option since making his debut with the Athletics in 2023. The first baseman and corner outfielder brings versatility, but he doesn’t offer the same power upside that O’Neill was expected to provide in the middle of the order.
In the broader context of the Orioles vs. Phillies series, losing the eight-year veteran outfielder mid-game adds pressure to an already shallow lineup. Baltimore's front office, led by general manager Mike Elias, have prioritized long-term development this season. But balancing that strategy with costly veteran signings like O’Neill presents ongoing challenges, especially when injuries continue to stack up.
O’Neill’s removal only deepens Baltimore’s injury woes in what has already been a physically taxing season. He now joins a crowded injured list that includes Grayson Rodriguez (elbow/lat strain), Ryan Mountcastle (hamstring), Gary Sanchez (knee sprain), Tyler Wells (UCL surgery), and Kyle Bradish (Tommy John recovery). Other names like Felix Bautista, Zach Eflin, and Jorge Mateo are also sidelined, further stretching a roster already running thin. For a team out of playoff contention and focused on development, these injuries continue to complicate efforts to evaluate talent and build chemistry during the season’s final stretch.
