Ryan Mountcastle Suffers Potential Hamstring Injury; Who’s Up Next?

Ryan Mountcastle is the Second Oriole to Suffer Injury This Week

Earlier on Friday, the team announced outfielder Cedric Mullins suffered a “mild” right hamstring strain. The veteran outfielder will miss the next 10 days while on the injured list, retroactive to May 29.

In addition, the team transferred right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet to the 60-day IL to make room for outfielder Cooper Hummel. The 30-year-old left fielder saw only eight at-bats in 2024 for the Houston Astros.

The Next Men Up

With Mountcastle now potentially facing a stay on the IL, the team is now in search of a temporary first baseman. Despite their lack of depth in a lot of positions, this shouldn’t be a major problem. There are options both inside and outside the organization.

1. Samuel Basallo (Norfolk Tides, AAA)

2025 stats: 105 AB; .238/.341/.884; 5 doubles; 9 HR; 19 RBI; 17 BB and 30 K

This could be a very risky move, but Basallo might be ready for his first taste of MLB action. The 20-year-old catcher, ranked number 16 on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects in 2025, is having a good season at Triple-A despite an injury causing him to miss time early this season.

He has struggled over the last 10 games, slashing a .188/.300/.850 line, boosted by a two-homer performance on May 22. The good news is that he’s been getting on base with walks and poking a hit once in a while. The bad news is that he might be a little too streaky and inconsistent to find himself in the starting lineup.

Basallo has strong power, slugging 48 home runs over the last three seasons including 2025. He also hits more than he strikes out, not including walks. A little more seasoning and he’s a starter, being a designated hitter or first baseman.

2. Coby Mayo (Norfolk Tides, AAA)

2025 stats: 168 AB; .226/.318/.770; 10 doubles; 2 triples; 8 HR; 28 RBI; 23 BB and 53 K

Despite boasting lower numbers than his counterpart, Mayo has some MLB experience and is the older of the pair. The 23-year-old has played alongside Mountcastle, playing 21 games between 2024 and 2025. He has struggled immensely, failing to record an extra-base hit in that time frame. He still showcases a lot of upside.

Mayo tallied over 50 minor-league home runs between 2023 and 2024, along with six triples. In both years, his OPS eclipsed .900, so he absolutely can get hot when he is good. His overall stats, however, are down, only batting .200/.245/.585 over the last 10 games at Triple-A.

He’s poised to break out at some point in his career. Could this be the moment he does?

3. Anthony Rizzo (Free Agent)

2024 Stats: 337 AB; .228/.301/.637; 12 doubles; 8 HR; 35 RBI; 27 BB and 65 K

A fun scenario is the Orioles going out and signing a temporary free agent to help cover first base in the wake of Ryan Mountcastle’s injury. If they feel neither Mayo nor Basallo are ready, Rizzo is a decent option who is still waiting for a call from a major league club.

Let’s be clear, Rizzo’s heyday is long behind him, and the concussion he suffered in 2023 had a lasting impact. He can still play if you give him a chance, being a four-time Gold Glove winner and a three-time All-Star. Even with the New York Yankees, he still gave something to the team, slugging 32 home runs in 2022.

Again, this is only an option if the Orioles see fit. It’s unlikely they sign a player of Rizzo’s caliber to a temporary contract, but with the team in need of some veteran presence, this might be a lucrative idea if this is where their head is at.