Darren O'Day Injury: Updates on Orioles Pitcher's Hamstring and Return

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Darren O’Day has suffered a right hamstring injury.

Continue for updates.

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O'Day Placed on 15-Day DL

Friday, June 3

According to a report by CBS Baltimore, O'Day was placed on the 15-day disabled list in what is being described as a right hamstring strain.

MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko reported that O'Day will receive a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in his right leg, and manager Buck Showalter is "cautiously optimistic" that he will be back in 15 days. 

This could have been a far more serious blow for Baltimore because O'Day has developed into one of the best setup pitchers in the league. The submariner has played for the Los Angeles Angels, Texas Rangers and New York Mets in his career, but he's shone over the past couple of seasons for the Orioles. 

Thus far, he is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA and two saves this season with 25 strikeouts in 22 appearances.

O'Day agreed to new contract with the Orioles this offseason that was the richest in MLB history for a non-closing reliever at the time, per Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com. That came after O'Day made his first All-Star Game in 2015 and finished with a sparkling 1.52 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 82 strikeouts in 65.1 innings pitched.

According to ESPN.com, he posted a career-high 2.8 WAR as well, and it was the second consecutive year he tallied a sub-2.00 ERA for the Orioles (1.70 in 2014).

The Orioles still have Zach Britton at the end of the bullpen to shut the door on opponents, and they will likely turn to Brad Brach to shoulder more of the load while O'Day is out.

Still, there is a reason they committed to O’Day this offseason. If they are going to challenge the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the American League East, they need him back and healthy to anchor the bullpen alongside Britton.