Orioles’ Cowser out at least 6 to 8 weeks with fractured left thumb; Carlson recalled

BALTIMORE—The Orioles on Monday placed outfielder Colton Cowser on the 10-day injured list with a fractured left thumb. Cowser broke the thumb on Sunday when he dived head-first into first base in the seventh inning.

Manager Brandon Hyde expects Cowser to be out a minimum of six to eight weeks.

“It’s a big loss,” Hyde said. “It’s going to be at least a couple of months, so it’s gives other guys opportunities. It’s not going to be the last injury we have this season. We’re going to have things pop up. That’s why you create depth.”

Cowser’s left hand was broken in last season’s Division Series against Kansas City when he was hit by a pitch.

Cowser was 2-for-16 (.125) with a home run and RBI in his first four games. Last year, he finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting, hitting .242 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs and a .768 OPS.

“It’s a blow because Colton is a really good player,” Hyde said.

Diving into first base is risky.

“Everybody in that room knows the risks that you take when you go head-first,’ Hyde said. “But it’s also an instinctual baseball play. He’s trying to beat the guy to the bag, and he’s hustling, and it’s a freak, unfortunate thing.”

The Orioles recalled switch-hitting outfielder Dylan Carlson from Triple-A Norfolk.

“I thought the last two or three weeks of camp, this guy took our best at-bats from both sides of the plate,” Hyde said. “He can play three spots in the outfield.”

Hyde says that Heston Kjerstad, who’s playing left field and batting fifth on Monday in the home opener against the Boston Red Sox, will play more with Cowser out.

Notes: Infielder Jordan Westburg is back in the lineup, leading off and playing second base. He did not play on Sunday, although Hyde wouldn’t say why. “He’s dealing with some minor things,” Hyde said. “All of a sudden he plays three days on turf, and he’s pretty banged up. … Hyde said that shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who has played three games at Triple-A Norfolk in his rehab from a right intercostal strain, is on track to return when he’s eligible to come off the 10-day injured list on Thursday. … Right-hander Albert Suárez went on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation before Sunday’s game. The move is retroactive to Saturday. Hyde said he got treatment on the shoulder after his final start in spring training. “He had a tough time getting loose in the bullpen. We’re being cautious with him. He’s going to get some treatment on it. We’re not sure of the timetable on it. Hopefully, it’s not too long.”