The Orioles optioned Cowser to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday.
Cowser was brought up from Triple-A when rosters expanded to 28 men Friday, but he'll head back down to the minors with the Orioles bringing Aaron Hicks (back) back from the 10-day injured list. The 23-year-old Cowser is slashing just .115/.286/.148 in the majors this season and likely would return to the Orioles only for depth purposes.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Recalled from Triple-A
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Cowser was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday.
Cowser is back with the big club as rosters expand. The top prospect really struggled in his initial go-round with the Orioles, managing a lowly .434 OPS over his first 77 plate appearances. It seems unlikely that he'll be given regular playing time in the final month.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Will be added when rosters expand
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Cowser will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk when rosters expand Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Cowser was sent down earlier this month after posting just a .434 OPS over his first 77 plate appearances at the big-league level. While his future remains bright, he wouldn't appear to be in line for a ton of playing time down the stretch as the Orioles try to maintain their American League East lead.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Cowser to Triple-A Norfolk on Monday.
Cowser remains one of Baltimore's top prospects, but he posted only a .434 OPS over his first 77 plate appearances at the big-league level, so Baltimore decided to send him back to the minors to open up a roster spot for the returning Aaron Hicks. Cowser owns a .996 OPS at the Triple-A level this year, so if he can get back on track at the plate he could rejoin the Orioles before the campaign comes to a close.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Picks up first steal
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Cowser went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored in Saturday's 7-3 win over the Mets.
Cowser showed modest speed in the minors, topping out at 18 steals over three levels in 2022. He had seven thefts in 56 Triple-A games prior to his call-up this season. The outfielder has struggled to adjust to major-league pitching so far, batting .125 with four RBI, 15 runs scored, two doubles and and 11:20 BB:K over 70 plate appearances. Until he can hit more consistently, he'll remain in playing-time battles around the outfield.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: On bench again Thursday
Rotowire
Cowser remains out of the lineup Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Cowser is slashing just .098/.254/.118 through his first 63 major-league plate appearances and hasn't appeared in the Orioles' starting lineup since Monday. Austin Hays, Ryan McKenna and Ryan O'Hearn are starting across the outfield in Thursday's series finale at Toronto.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Not in Tuesday's lineup
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Cowser is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game at Toronto.
The lefty-hitting Cowser will take a seat Tuesday with southpaw Hyun Jin Ryu on the mound for the Blue Jays. Ryan McKenna will start in center field and bat eighth.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Takes seat Sunday
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Cowser is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Though Cowser's path to playing time in the outfield opened up a bit with Aaron Hicks (hamstring) recently joining Cedric Mullins (groin) on the injured list, the rookie still finds himself on the bench for the second time in five games. Cowser is hitting just .106 in 47 at-bats since getting called up from Triple-A Norfolk on July 5 and could be at risk of a demotion as soon as one of the two injured outfielders is activated.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: On bench versus lefty
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Cowser is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Phillies.
Cowser had started in three of the Orioles' last four games, but the lefty-hitting outfielder will hit the bench Monday while southpaw Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for Philadelphia. Considering that Cowser is batting just .111 through his first 36 at-bats in the big leagues, his opportunities to play against right-handed pitching could soon take a hit as well if he's unable to turn things around in the near future.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: On bench versus lefty
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Cowser is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Dodgers, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Cowser had started each of the last three games at a different outfield spot and went 0-for-8 with three walks and two runs, bringing his batting average down to .111 since he was called up from Triple-A Norfolk on July 5. The lefty-hitting Cowser will retreat to the bench Wednesday while the Dodgers bring southpaw Julio Urias to the hill, and until he begins to heat up at the plate, Cowser could find himself in more of a part-time role in the Baltimore outfield. Cowser did at least see his playing-time outlook improve Wednesday with Cedric Mullins (groin) landing on the injured list, though Aaron Hicks may be first in line to replace Mullins in the everyday lineup.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Remains on bench
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Cowser will sit Saturday against the Marlins, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Cowser started four consecutive games after getting called up for his MLB debut on July 5, but he's since sat for three straight contests. This particular off day comes against a lefty (Braxton Garrett), so it's no surprise to see Cowser head to the bench, though the previous two came against right-handers. Aaron Hicks will get another start in right field.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Takes seat Sunday
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Cowser is out of the lineup for Sunday's game at Minnesota, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Cowser started all four games since receiving his first big-league callup Wednesday, and he'll hit the bench Sunday after going 4-for-13 with four walks, two RBI and four runs in his first 18 plate appearances. Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins and Anthony Santander will start across the outfield while Aaron Hicks serves as the designated hitter.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Gets aboard twice in debut
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Cowser went 1-for-3 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in Wednesday's 6-3 win over the Yankees.
Cowser sparked the Orioles' sixth-inning rally with an RBI single and scored on a Jordan Westburg triple. That makes it a successful debut for Cowser, who has a short-term path to playing time while Austin Hays (hip) is out. Where Cowser fits in the long term is to be determined, though he can play all over the outfield and will likely get plenty of chances to do so if he can force the issue with his bat.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: In LF, batting seventh in MLB debut
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Cowser is starting in left field and batting seventh versus the Yankees on Wednesday in his major-league debut, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Cowser could wind up bouncing all over the outfield for the Orioles, but he'll play left field in his debut with Austin Hays (hip) still banged up. The rookie earned a promotion after putting together a sparkling .330/.459/.537 batting line with 10 homers and 40 RBI through 257 plate appearances with Triple-A Norfolk.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Promotion made official
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The Orioles selected Cowser's contract from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Reports of Cowser's impending arrival came out Tuesday and the young outfielder has now officially been added to the big-league roster. He earned the call-up after putting up a .330/.459/.537 with 10 homers and 40 RBI through 257 plate appearances with Norfolk. Cowser is capable of playing all three outfield spots and should see regular starts -- at least against right-handers -- between the outfield and perhaps some at designated hitter.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Set for promotion Wednesday
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The Orioles will call up Cowser from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
After slashing an impressive .330/.459/.537 with 10 homers and 40 RBI through 257 plate appearances, Cowser will crack the big leagues for the first time in his career. Baltimore already has a plethora of talent in its outfield, so there's no clear path to regular playing time for the 23-year-old prospect; however, the Orioles will likely try to work Cowser into the lineup on a somewhat consistent basis.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Likely back soon at Triple-A
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Orioles general manager Mike Elias said Friday that Cowser (quad) should be back with Triple-A Norfolk fairly soon, Dan Connolly of The Athletic reports.
Cowser was placed on the Triple-A injured list last weekend due to lingering quad discomfort, but Elias called it a "days not weeks" type of issue. The 23-year-old top outfield prospect has delivered a robust .331/.469/.554 slash line with seven homers and five steals through 37 games this season for Norfolk.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Placed on minor-league IL
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Cowser (quadriceps) was placed on the 7-day injured list Saturday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Cowser has been dealing with some quadriceps discomfort and will now be unavailable for at least another week. The 2021 first-round pick has been red-hot this season, batting .331 with seven homers, 28 RBI, 43 runs and five stolen bases over 139 at-bats in 37 games with Triple-A Norfolk. Once healthy, Cowser has a realistic shot at making his MLB debut at some point this summer.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Dealing with quad tightness
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Cowser missed Triple-A Norfolk's game Wednesday with left quadriceps tightness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Cowser is considered day-to-day, but the Orioles will likely take a cautious approach with one of their top prospects. He has crushed Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .331/.469/.554 slash line with seven home runs, 28 RBI, 43 runs scored and five stolen bases in 37 contests. If the injury is minor, he could be back by the weekend.
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Orioles' Colton Cowser: Strong showing at Triple-A
Rotowire
Cowser is slashing .289/.407/.474 with three home runs, two steals, a 24.2 percent strikeout rate and a 15.4 percent walk rate through 91 plate appearances for Triple-A Norfolk.
The 23-year-old center fielder has been excellent in a return trip to the International League. He has been 31 percent better than league average and his .407 OBP is the 12th best mark in the league among hitters under 25 years old. Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays have earned their big-league playing time in the early going, but Anthony Santander (-0.2 fWAR), Terrin Vavra (-0.1 fWAR) and Ryan McKenna (-0.1 fWAR) have struggled out of the gate. Even if the Orioles look to Triple-A for an upgrade in the outfield, Kyle Stowers would likely get the call over Cowser, but Cowser is still on the right track to get a call later this summer.
