Orioles' Craig Albernaz Provides Encouraging Coby Mayo Update on Monday

The Baltimore Orioles (23-30) are in fourth place in the American League East entering Monday afternoon's matchup with the first-place Tampa Bay Rays (34-16), and that's partially because of their offense. They rank 18th in baseball with 228 runs scored, which hasn't been enough to make up for their 285 runs allowed, which ranks 29th.

Third baseman Coby Mayo is partially responsible for the below-average run total, as he's slashing just .186/.259/.333 with five homers and 18 RBIs over 43 games. The 24-year-old was Baltimore's No. 2 prospect last year, but slashed .217/.299/.388 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs over 85 big-league games.

However, Mayo is hitting .286 with a .930 OPS, two homers, and six RBIs over his last nine games, which makes his current injury especially unfortunate. The 6-foot-5, 225-pounder hasn't played since Friday due to back discomfort, per MLB.com.

On the bright side, manager Craig Albernaz doesn't believe that Mayo will land on the injured list despite his absence from Monday's lineup, per The Baltimore Sun's Matt Weyrich.

Orioles' Coby Mayo (low back discomfort) has improved since yesterday, Craig Albernaz says. He doesn't believe Mayo will need an IL stint, though he's out of the lineup today.

— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) May 25, 2026

Orioles Need Coby Mayo to Continue Hot Streak

Given Baltimore's injury luck so far this season, Mayo sustaining a serious ailment would not have helped. Outfielder Heston Kjerstad (hamstring), infielder Jordan Westburg (elbow), outfielder Dylan Beavers (oblique), and infielder Ryan Mountcastle (foot) are all on the injured list, per MLB.com.

Westburg's absence has created an opportunity for Mayo, as he was the primary third baseman when healthy over the last couple of years. The 27-year-old slashed .265/.313/.457 with 17 homers and 41 RBIs over 85 games in 2025, but won't play this season due to a partially torn UCL in his right elbow.

That leaves Mayo and fellow backup Weston Wilson to take reps at the hot corner. Wilson is slashing .257/.381/.371 with one homer and three RBIs across 18 games. The Orioles claimed the 31-year-old off waivers in January, and he spent his previous three seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Although Wilson is serviceable, Mayo is the higher-upside player. The Florida native slashed .277/.374/.531 with 90 homers and 310 RBIs across 435 minor-league games after Baltimore drafted him No. 103 overall in 2020.

Wilson will start at third and hit fifth against the Rays on Monday. Right-handed pitcher Kyle Bradish will start for the Orioles against southpaw Shane McClanahan, with the game starting at 1:35 p.m. ET in Baltimore. The Orioles will then host the Rays again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Related: Orioles Make a Decision on Albert Suárez

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 10:25 AM.