Orioles News: Ryan O'Hearn mashing, Jordan Westburg rehab, O's winning streak

If you had Ryan O'Hearn leading the Baltimore Orioles in hitting two months into the season, please hit our line with this week's lottery numbers. Whether it's a good thing or not, O'Hearn is atop Baltimore's leaderboard in every slash category (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage) entering the final week of May.

The veteran outfielder/first baseman raised his batting average to .340 following a three-hit game in Monday's win over the St. Louis Cardinals. It's the fourth time in the past six games O'Hearn recorded at least three hits, part of an unbelievable stretch in which he hit .600.

Looking at the American League hitting leaders, O'Hearn is behind only Aaron Judge in OBP and on-base plus slugging percentage. Although he's producing for the Orioles at an extremely high rate, he's also auditioning for other teams in need of a first baseman.

That might not be what fans in Baltimore want to hear, but it makes too much sense for the O's to sell high on a 31-year-old with an expiring contract whose trade value has never been higher - and likely won't be again.

Orioles reporter Roch Kubatko started referring to Baltimore's slugger as "Ryan MVO'Hearn" amid the lefty's incredible start to the season. While a major award is still a long shot for O'Hearn despite his impressive numbers, he's at least produced regularly for an Orioles offense desperate for consistency.

Orioles News: Jordan Westburg and Colton Cowser rehab assignments, Baltimore wins three in a row

A significant part of the Orioles' struggles this season is injuries. Multiple key players have been on the injured list nearly every day since the season began. Finally, Baltimore can look forward to days when its best players are in the lineup.

2024 All-Star Jordan Westburg will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, per interim manager Tony Mansolino. Westburg hit the injured list with a hamstring strain in late April and suffered a setback a few weeks ago. The Orioles haven't said how long they expect him to play in the minors.

Joining Westburg in Norfolk is outfielder Colton Cowser, who began his rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen on May 22. Cowser fractured his left thumb during Baltimore's fourth game of the season. He's eligible to come off the injured list May 30, but isn't expected to be activated until June.

The timetables for other injured Orioles position players are less clear. Ramon Laureano has been out for a week with an ankle sprain, but the outfielder took swings in the batting cage Monday. Gary Sanchez also took some hacks Monday as he recovers from right wrist inflammation. Baltimore hasn't provided an update on Tyler O'Neill since the outfielder hit the injured list for the second time this season on May 18.

Injuries aside, the Orioles and their fans are on a high after Baltimore's win on Memorial Day. The O's won their third consecutive game for the first time in 2025 with the 5-2 victory over the Cardinals.

Perhaps the tides are turning for Baltimore after a dreadful first two months. The Orioles still have the odds stacked against them to return to playoff contention, but things are improving, particularly with the starting rotation. O's starters posted a 2.40 ERA in the past six games, with Baltimore winning four.

It's a small sample size, but the Orioles will take it. Baltimore looks to carry its momentum through this week with a couple of series at home.

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