Return of Colton Cowser adds dimensions for Orioles vs. Mariners

A lot has happened to the Baltimore Orioles since Colton Cowser last appeared in a game.

Cowser made his return from a broken left thumb Tuesday night against the host Seattle Mariners and homered in a 5-1 victory, and the three-game series between the teams will continue Wednesday night.

After Cowser, the runner-up for the American League's Rookie of the Year award last season, broke his thumb sliding into first base in the fourth game of the season, the Orioles cratered. Manager Brandon Hyde was fired May 17 with the team standing 15-28.

While the Orioles are still in the AL East cellar, they've started to turn things around, winning four straight games and seven of their past nine.

Cowser was asked if he'd noticed a difference.

"I've been here for a grand total of two hours," joked Cowser, who hit .400 in six minor league games during a rehabilitation assignment. "But it feels good to be around the guys again. I feel like we've got really good personalities in this clubhouse no matter who's coming in."

Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said Cowser definitely was missed.

"I just think the outfield defense, the baserunning, the offense, the at-bats, the ability to draw walks, he can beat you in a lot of different ways," Mansolino said. "He can help you win games in a lot of different ways. He's not just kind of a one-trick pony type of player.

"We're excited for the personality. It's a huge personality in the clubhouse, which we love. So the whole package is great, and we're excited to have him."

With Cedric Mullins on the injured list (right hamstring strain), Cowser started in center field Tuesday.

Mansolino said the Orioles will be cautious with Cowser, 25, after the lengthy layoff.

"We'll go day-by-day," Mansolino said. "The thing with him right now is, coming off a rehab assignment, we're not gonna run him out there 10 straight days. I don't know if that would be wise. So there will be a little bit of kind of working his way back into the everyday responsibilities of an outfielder."

Cowser had one other task in the clubhouse before Tuesday's game: refuting teammate Gunnar Henderson's claim he was afraid of shrimp.

The Topps trading card company sent out a social media post Monday with a signed card by Henderson that included the shortstop writing, "Cowser is afraid of shrimp."

That apparently stemmed from a group fishing trip during spring training, when shrimp was used as bait.

"One time, one jumped out of my hand ... so (Henderson) assumed I was afraid of it," Cowser said. "I'm not afraid of shrimp."

The Mariners, who dropped a half-game behind Houston in the American League West race with Tuesday's loss, got a scare of their own. Making just his third start of the season after a long stretch on the injured list (right shoulder inflammation), right-hander George Kirby was forced to leave the field after completing five innings. The reason was a bloody lip that resulted when the Orioles' Ramon Urias hit a 102.7 mph liner back to the mound.

The ball deflected off Kirby's pitching hand before hitting his face.

"Didn't even hurt, honestly," Kirby said. "It got my hand -- like, 50-50 hand-mouth. So we're good. ... I'm just glad it missed any of the bad spots on my face."

On Wednesday, Orioles left-hander Cade Povich (1-4, 5.29 ERA) is set to start against Seattle right-hander Emerson Hancock (2-2, 5.64). It will be the first start for both pitchers against the other team.

Povich, who is winless in his past five starts, is coming of a 6-4 loss to visiting the visiting St. Louis Cardinals in which he allowed five runs on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings last Wednesday.

Hancock didn't get a decision in his most recent outing against the Washington Nationals last Thursday as the Mariners lost 9-3 in 10 innings. Hancock gave up two runs on two hits over 5 1/3 innings, with three walks and four strikeouts.