Can Basallo, Rutschman, Mayo, Mountcastle all play for Orioles in 2026? | MAILBAG

Question: With Samuel Basallo an Oriole long term, and Adley Rutschman under team control for a couple more years, where does that leave Coby Mayo and Ryan Mountcastle. Is there room for all four on the roster? From: Dovid Lando

Answer: Dovid, I think it is possible that those four are on the roster for next season, particularly since Basallo is a left-handed hitter and Rutschman a switch-hitter while Mayo and Mountcastle are right-handers. With first base and the designated hitter position available, it’s easy for three to play at once, but not all four.

Since Basallo is going to be here, it’s possible that one of the other three is traded. Mountcastle has just one more year before free agency, and I think the last month of the season will be important for Mayo and Mountcastle, in particular.

Question: How and to what extent are the Orioles exploring why they have such an unending rash of injuries? From: David Law

Answer: David, yours is a very popular question. Some of the others who asked were John Miller, Christopher Berry, David Hoffman, Stephen Cohen and John Newell.

I know the Orioles are studying the reasons for so many injuries, but they’re not going to discuss them publicly.

I don’t know why the are so many injuries, and I know they’re perplexed, too. After last season, they switched head athletic trainers, and perhaps they’ll make additional changes after this year, too.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.