We've only gotten through Opening Day weekend of the 2025 MLB season, and the injury bug has already struck early and often, with teams having some of their best players sidelined. Beyond ruining the fan experience, it also disrupts lineups and plans for managers, where they have their weapons of attack lined out, only for an injury to spoil things.
Let's explore these players and their injury-stricken situations that have received new updates or announcements this week.
SP Sean Manaea, New York Mets
This season for Manaea has gotten off to a rough start, as he didn't pitch during camp. He was shut down with an oblique injury and placed on the 15-day IL when the season opened on March 27th.
He was originally supposed to return in late April, but the oblique injury has been overstaying its welcome. The front-end starter has faced a setback in his recovery in his anticipation of rejoining the Mets rotation for 2025.
Manager Carlos Mendoza confirmed that Manaea would be shut down for two weeks following a PRP injection to speed up the healing process with his oblique strain. The Mets were hopeful of getting their left-handed ace back this month, but now his new timetable of return is late May, assuming no other setbacks occur.
It'll be a while before Sean Manaea's 2025 debuthttps://t.co/4iAwu8I14j pic.twitter.com/EmkGgc35Yj
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) April 2, 2025
SP Jared Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates
The 23-year-old right-handed pitcher sustained a UCL sprain in his right elbow on March 26th, but the ligament is stable. Luckily, the injury is not season-ending, tut the Bucs transferred Jones from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.
Jones is currently in a six-week no-throwing program and is expected to make his 2025 debut in June. The program will allow for ample recovery time for his elbow.
Jones functioned as an important piece to the Pirates' rotation last season. He came into this season as a promising rookie and authored a 6-8 record and a 4.14 ERA. He also recorded a solid whiff rate and fastball velocity of 97.3 mph. Jones first reported discomfort in his right elbow during a bullpen session on March 16th. He was then sidelined for the rest of spring.
Sources: No torn ligaments, no surgery for Jared Jones. He will go six weeks without throwing. Overall encouraging news for the Pirates.
— Noah Hiles (@_NoahHiles) March 25, 2025
OF Colton Cowser, Baltimore Orioles
Major setback for the Orioles with outfielder Colton Cowser, who will miss 6-to-8 weeks with a left thumb fracture. The injury occurred when Cowser slid headfirst into first base in Sunday's loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. It was a painful slide that now costs the O's their star outfielder.
The issue was that he slid into first base with his hands first, ultimately bending his thumb in the direction thumbs are not supposed to bend. Cowser finished last season (his rookie campaign) batting .242/.321/.447 while also playing solid defense. He also ranked in the 90th percentile with a 13.6 % barrel rate last season.
Cowser also possesses solid arm strength and range in the outfield. This means the Orioles will have to rely on their outfield depth early in the season, and it will be stress tested. The O's will also be without a power tool in their lineup, but it will permit Heston Kjerstad to gain more playing time with Cowser's absence.
Likewise, the injury to Cowser may convince to hold onto Ryan Mountcastle for a while longer, despite trade rumors surrounding the first baseman in recent weeks.
The Orioles are expected to be without AL Rookie of the Year finalist Colton Cowser for a minimum of 6-8 weeks with a left thumb fracture.#MLBCentral reacts to the injury and Baltimore's outlook in the short and long-term this season. pic.twitter.com/GErbcE3iwT
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 1, 2025