In a thrilling turn of events, the Baltimore Orioles have officially reinstated outfielder Colton Cowser from the 60-day injured list. In a corresponding shakeup, infielder/outfielder Cooper Hummel has been designated for assignment.

Cowser has been MIA for nearly the entire season following a fractured left thumb suffered during just his fourth game of the year. Initially projected to miss only six to eight weeks, he's now returning nine weeks post-injury, much to the relief of O's fans.

While Cowser was sidelined, the Orioles struggled, holding a disappointing 22-36 record. Their fortunes barely improved, even though they recently swept the struggling Chicago White Sox. Cowser's absence has certainly been felt; last season alone, he smashed 24 home runs and stole nine bases, earning a notable 30.7% strikeout rate paired with a commendable 9.3% walk rate.

With accolades for his defensive skills in all three outfield positions and a total of four wins above replacement (WAR) credited by FanGraphs, Cowser was also a strong contender for the 2022 American League Rookie of the Year, finishing second to Luis Gil.

Most importantly for Orioles fans, Cowser's comeback arrives during a challenging time for the outfield, as fellow players Cedric Mullins, Tyler O'Neill, and Ramón Laureano remain out of action. His return adds much-needed depth to an outfield currently featuring Heston Kjerstad, Dylan Carlson, Ryan O'Hearn, Jordyn Adams, and Jorge Mateo.

On the flip side, Cooper Hummel is navigating a frustrating rollercoaster of transactions. After joining the O's on May 25, he found himself designated for assignment just a day later without stepping onto the field. Following a brief period of roster shuffling due to a concussion scare involving catcher Adley Rutschman, he was re-signed on May 30, only to face DFA limbo once again.

Unfortunately, Hummel’s major league experiences have been scant, with just one plate appearance since signing. He pinch-hit for Ryan Mountcastle this past Friday but struck out, a tough representation of his transient career. Despite exceptional performance metrics at the Triple-A level—a .284 batting average with a .419 on-base percentage and a 132 wRC+ since 2021—he has remained on the sidelines when it comes to consistent big league action.

As Hummel awaits his fate in DFA limbo, he cleared waivers just last week, increasing the likelihood he'll do so again—after which he could opt for free agency given his career's previous outright status.