Ryan Mountcastle was forced to watch on as the Baltimore Orioles secured a second-straight win, jumping to 8-7 on the 2026 MLB season after a 6-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday, winning the series 2-1. Now, the Orioles will remain in Baltimore as the Arizona Diamondbacks come to town beginning on Monday.
Mountcastle has been the primary starting first baseman for the Orioles in recent years, but with the addition of former New York Mets star Pete Alonso over the offseason, his everyday role at the position has significantly decreased. Operating primarily as a bench bat and occasional designated hitter, Mountcastle has appeared in eight games so far in 2025, recording four hits and one RBI in 14 at-bats for a .286 batting average.
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In Saturday’s 6-2 win over the Giants, Mountcastle suffered a foot injury after stumbling while rounding first base on his leadoff double in the second inning. He remained on the ground for some time before eventually leaving the game and did not return. An MRI the following day confirmed that Mountcastle had suffered a fractured fourth metatarsal bone in his left foot.
Baltimore placed Mountcastle on the injured list on Monday. The team also transferred right-handed pitcher Yaramil Hiraldo from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. In a corresponding roster move, the Orioles acquired infielder Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to their Triple-A affiliate, the Norfolk Tides.
Encarnacion-Strand has been with the Reds since the 2023 MLB season. The first baseman has appeared in 128 total games over that span, recording 109 hits, 55 runs and 21 home runs in 468 at-bats while batting .233.
"We have made the following roster moves: Acquired INF Christian Encarnacion-Strand from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for cash considerations and optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk," the Orioles wrote on X. "Placed 1B Ryan Mountcastle on the 60-day injured list."
Following the three-game series against the Diamondbacks, the Orioles will hit the road to face the Cleveland Guardians in a four-game series beginning on Friday.
