BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles signed Tyler O’Neill to a three-year, $49.5 million contract before the 2025 season. The deal was the largest free agent contract of Mike Elias’ tenure as president of baseball operations.

O’Neill was brought in to provide a proven power bat, particularly against left-handed pitching, to protect the middle of the Orioles’ lineup. Through the first two months of the 2026 season, however, his performance has fallen well short of that expectation. In 33 games, he is batting .154 with a .267 on-base percentage and a .231 slugging percentage. His on-base plus slugging percentage in May 2026 was .383.

O’Neill has hit two home runs and recorded seven RBIs in 2026. Against left-handed pitchers this season, he is hitting .073 (3-for-41). On Sunday, May 24, 2026, manager Craig Albernaz pinch-hit for O’Neill against a left-handed reliever.

Injuries have also limited O’Neill’s availability. He has been placed on the injured list four times since joining the Orioles before the 2025 season. In April 2026, he suffered a concussion after fainting from dehydration on an off day. As of May 27, 2026, he has appeared in 87 total games for Baltimore since signing.

The Orioles’ record stands at 24–30 as of May 27, 2026. O’Neill is owed $33 million through the 2027 season.

O’Neill played in 81 games during the 2025 season, his first with the Orioles, after signing the three-year deal in December 2024. He batted .227 with 21 home runs and 59 RBIs that year. His 2025 OPS was .731. He missed time in 2025 due to a hamstring strain and a right shoulder contusion.