This season has been an absolute disaster for the Baltimore Orioles. In a desperate scramble to steady the ship, they’ve been rapidly overhauling their roster, making move after move in search of some foothold, some so drastic that they even fired their long-time manager. And now, with barely a moment to breathe, they’re rolling the dice on a utility player picked up just weeks ago.

The Orioles shifted gears multiple times this week with the left fielder Cooper Hummel. He hasn’t played a single MLB game this season, which is probably why he opted out of the Yankees in search of a major league opportunity. But what followed after he joined the Orioles was far from anything he might’ve expected.

The Orioles signed Hummel earlier this week on May 25th, designated him on the 26th, and guess what? Then they re-signed him on the 30th, all in the short span of a single week. For a player who has never made a major mark in the big leagues, this is clearly a great opportunity, and Hummel knows it.

While speaking to The Baltimore Banner’s Andy Kostka, Hummel called the move to designate him “administrative.” He added that he “knew there was a role here, and it worked out well.” This week, without a doubt, was a roller coaster for him – but how did he make it back?

When Adley Rutschman was pulled from a game on Monday, Hummel was DFA’d to make space for another catcher, and he elected free agency. But with Rutschman returning, the need for the extra catcher vanished, and just like that, Hummel was signed to the Orioles roster again. When he was with the Astros last season, the 30-year-old left fielder spent most of his time with the Triple-A.

He hit .277 with 10 homers and 15 stolen bases, boasting a .419 OBP during that time. He also signed a minor league contract with the Yankees for a brief stint earlier this season, yet he still awaits his MLB debut in 2025. Hummel isn’t expected to have an everyday role, even though the Orioles have re-signed him. But now, he just might get a shot, as the placement of Cedric Mullins on the 10-day injured list leaves Baltimore with significant at-bats to fill.

Orioles place Cedric Mullins on IL

There seems to be no end in sight for the Orioles’ struggles this season. They’re sitting at the bottom of the AL East with a 20-32 record. What’s the main reason? Their roster has been chipped away by injuries, hitting every valuable player, one after another. With players like Tyler O’Neill, Colton Cowser, and Ramón Laureano already on the IL, the latest blow comes at the expense of Mullins. Now they must navigate the treacherous waters of MLB without their star center fielder – at least for 10 days.

A minor right hamstring strain is what’s currently troubling him. And the Orioles have placed him on a 10-day injured list to avoid aggravating the issue further. The O’s Interim Manager, Tony Mansolino, sounded hopeful about Mullins’ quick return. While speaking to The Baltimore Banner’s, he said, “My guess is this will probably be the minimum for him. Who knows? It could go a little bit further. But we are not super concerned. It’s more, right now, taking care of Ced and making sure we get him back to 100%.”

Yes, getting him back to full strength is clearly imperative for the Orioles, especially given how much they’ve relied on his presence this season. He’s slashing .232/.324/.448 from 50 games played, with an OPS of .771. He has also hit 10 home runs with 31 RBI. His work in center field has been vital for the Orioles, and now, with him also landing on the IL and the team left with limited outfield depth, they’ve brought Cooper Hummel back into the mix.

Will these roster shakeups help steady the Orioles, or are they spiraling toward a new low? We’ll find out soon enough when they face the White Sox in the second game of the series at Oriole Park on Saturday.