MLB Injury Update: Colton Cowser's thumb, Jared Jones and Sean Manaea timelines

Injuries in MLB haven't seemed to slow down from last season, as they continue to circulate and cause havoc.
Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates remains on the Injured List with an arm injury.
Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates remains on the Injured List with an arm injury. | Nick Cammett/GettyImages

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.

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.

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.

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