Having Cedric Mullins, Jordan Westburg back doesn’t make Orioles playoff hopefuls

The Baltimore Orioles had a dose of good news on the morning of June 10 — and in a season like this, that counts for a lot. Infielder Jordan Westburg and outfielder Cedric Mullins were both reinstated from the injured list, giving the O’s a much-needed talent injection as they try to climb out of a deep early-season hole.

Currently on a modest hot streak, winning seven of their last ten games, the Orioles are scratching and clawing their way back toward relevance. But make no mistake, Baltimore remains far from being a true postseason threat.

The Orioles are healthier — but far from playoff ready

Yes, the return of Westburg and Mullins boosts the Orioles’ lineup on paper. Westburg, who earned an All-Star nod in 2024, has struggled to find his rhythm in 2025 but still managed to mash four home runs in limited time before a left hamstring strain derailed his season in April. Mullins, meanwhile, was one of the team’s few bright spots through the first two months, tallying 10 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a .772 on-base plus slugging percentage before a hamstring injury shelved him in May.

Together, their presence gives the Orioles' lineup a much-needed spark. They offer power, speed, and experience that this roster has missed. And in a vacuum, getting two impact players back is cause for optimism.

But context matters. And in the cutthroat American League, optimism alone won’t earn you playoff spots.

At 26–39, the Orioles are still a staggering 13 games below .500 and sit 8 1/2 games back of the final AL Wild Card position. To make matters worse, the Wild Card race is saturated with legitimate contenders — the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Minnesota Twins currently hold the spots, while six additional clubs are hovering above Baltimore in the standings. Every one of those teams is likely to buy at the deadline. The Orioles? They may soon be faced with the opposite decision.

The math isn’t impossible, but it’s increasingly improbable. Even if Westburg and Mullins were to return to peak form immediately, Baltimore would need to go on a run bordering on historic to vault over half the American League in the remaining months.

Then there's the gauntlet of a schedule right in front of them. The O’s are currently taking on the MLB-leading Detroit Tigers, with upcoming series against a feisty Los Angeles Angels squad, the ever-pesky Rays, and the AL East-leading New York Yankees. Survive that stretch, and maybe there's a conversation. But more likely, it’s a stretch that buries the Orioles for good as baseball inches closer to the trade deadline.

That leaves one uncomfortable but realistic reality. If Mullins and Westburg put on strong performances, would it just be to raise their trade value? Both players would command interest at the deadline. Mullins, in particular, offers a rare blend of power and speed on an expiring deal. Westburg, with club control and All-Star pedigree, could fetch a considerable return if the Orioles are bold enough to move him. If the next six weeks don’t yield a miracle, Baltimore might have no choice but to listen to the offers that come in.

Hope arrived in the Orioles’ clubhouse on June 10. But unless something drastic changes, it won’t be here for long.

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