Baltimore Orioles' Craig Albernaz Shares Tyler O'Neill Status Update

Baltimore Orioles' Craig Albernaz Shares Tyler O'Neill Status Update

The Baltimore Orioles currently have more than 10 players sidelined with an injury just two weeks into April. On Saturday they received an update on one of those players, outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who remains on the 7-day concussion injured list.

O’Neill has been sidelined since April 9 after suffering a concussion caused by fainting due to severe dehydration and illness, which led to him hitting his head and experiencing dizziness.

While he has made progress, the Orioles are not ready to bring him back just yet. “OF Tyler O’Neill (concussion) won’t be activated in next day or two. Manager Craig Albernaz said O’Neill still has some boxes to check before returning,” reported Jake Rill of MLB.com.

The Orioles have not specified what those remaining boxes are, but the tone from Albernaz suggests that O’Neill is trending in the right direction. Even so, Baltimore is being cautious, and understandably so, given the nature of head injuries. The team needs him healthy, especially with the roster already hit hard by injuries across multiple positions.

O’Neill’s absence has been felt. The Orioles envisioned him as a platoon option in left field, hoping he could rebound after a difficult first season in Baltimore.

In 2025, O’Neill played just 54 games due to recurring neck inflammation, a left shoulder impingement and right wrist inflammation. When he was on the field, he struggled, posting a .199 batting average, .292 on-base percentage and .684 OPS. It was a disappointing debut season for a player in the first year of a three-year, $49.5 million contract.

Now in the second year of that deal, O’Neill still has time to turn things around, and the Orioles believe he can.

He remains a strong defensive presence as a two-time Gold Glove Award winner, and his athleticism continues to be an asset when healthy. This is his ninth MLB season after spending six years with the St. Louis Cardinals and one with the Boston Red Sox before arriving in Baltimore.

If O’Neill can rediscover his offensive form, it would be a major boost for an Orioles team sitting at 10-11 and trying to regain momentum. Baltimore’s expectations remain high as the club hopes to make a return to the MLB playoffs this year, but getting healthy is the first step. O’Neill’s progress is encouraging, and once he clears the final hurdles, the Orioles hope he can help stabilize an outfield that needs his presence.