Dylan Beavers injury just made these Orioles players impossible to ignore

Last year, Tyler O'Neill was the Orioles' big offseason acquisition. His 2025 season went worse than anyone could have imagined, and as a result, the Orioles made some moves this offseason.

Between the ascendence of Dylan Beavers and the acquisition of Taylor Ward, it was hard to foresee a path for Tyler O'Neill to get regular playing time in the outfield. But a late spring training injury to Beavers, O'Neill suddenly goes from expensive bench bat to important everyday starter again, at least until Beavers is back fully healthy.

Orioles outfielder Tyler O'Neill needs to takes advantage of Dylan Beavers injury

It's a good opportunity for O'Neill to prove himself after last year's struggles. Can he stay healthy? And when he's healthy, can produce enough to be in the lineup every day?

If O'Neill gets banged up or performs poorly at the plate, when Beavers gets back to full strength, it's going to be difficult to see the Orioles trying to wedge a underperforming veteran back into the lineup. O'Neill will then slide back into the expensive platoon bench bat role.

Jeremiah Jackson could also see increased opportunity in the outfield. After he came up through the minors as an infielder, the Orioles gave him a shot in the outfield last season.

Jackson was not a natural out there, and in spring training, the injuries to Jordan Westburg and Jackso Holliday brought him back onto the infield dirt. In the wake of the Beavers' injury, Jackson was back out in the outfield during the Orioles scrimmage versus the Washington Nationals.

Jackson is a little bit different than most of the Orioles' youngsters. He was not a top prospect, and there wasn't much hype around his debut. That makes an opportunity to get playing time all the more valuable. He made the most of the opportunity the Orioles gave him last season.

There's a lot on the line early in the season for the O'Neill and Jackson; if they play well, they'll help the Orioles get off to a good start and potentially change their standing on the team. If they struggle, the Orioles don't have much outfield depth behind them to go to.