The Baltimore Orioles removed outfielder Tyler O'Neill from the lineup moments before first pitch.
The Baltimore Orioles were forced to make a change to their starting lineup on Friday, scratching outfielder Tyler O’Neill just minutes before first pitch of their series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
The move immediately raised concerns given O’Neill’s injury history and the fact that he played only 54 games last season due to multiple setbacks.
The Orioles quickly provided clarity though on the situation, revealing that his setback was not due to anything physical.
“Tyler O'Neill is under the weather and scratched from lineup, #orioles say,” reported Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports on Friday. O’Neill was replaced in right field by Dylan Beavers.
For Baltimore, the update was a relief. O’Neill’s absence was not related to any physical setback, and the club is hopeful his illness is minor. Considering how limited he was last season in the first year of his three-year, $49.5 million contract, any hint of injury naturally creates anxiety among Orioles fans.
His 2025 season was derailed not only by injuries but also by underperformance, making 2026 an important year for him to reestablish his value as a contributor.
O’Neill has not gotten off to a strong start this season, entering Friday with a .241 batting average, .353 on-base percentage, .698 OPS, one home run and four RBIs through his first 10 games.
Still, it is early, and the Orioles believe he can settle in as the lineup stabilizes. His defensive value remains a key part of his profile as well. O’Neill is a two-time Gold Glove Award winner and continues to provide strong outfield defense when healthy.
Now in his ninth MLB season, O’Neill is playing for his third organization. He debuted with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2018 and spent six seasons there before a strong 2024 campaign with the Boston Red Sox helped him secure his deal with Baltimore.
The Orioles signed him expecting to provide power in the middle of the lineup and impact the game on both sides of the ball, and they remain hopeful he can deliver on that expectation. Baltimore has high expectations this year to return to the MLB playoffs.
O’Neill’s next chance to return to the lineup will come Saturday in Game 2 of the three-game set against San Francisco. With the Orioles trying to build early momentum, getting O’Neill back on the field quickly and keeping him healthy remains an important part of their plans moving forward.