Mountcastle went 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBI in Monday's win over the Royals.

EDGE Analysis

Mountcastle crushed a two-run 408-foot home run off Michael Wacha in the fourth inning for his first of the season. The Orioles first baseman struggled in spring training with a .243/.256/.324 slash line and no homers, so this round-tripper was likely a welcome sight. Mountcastle will have to hit to keep his lineup spot in Baltimore with the bevy of young bats continuing to develop under general manager Mike Elias' watch.

Mountcastle went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, three RBI and a run during Saturday's 13-4 win against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Mountcastle delivered an RBI double in each of the first and third frames, walked and scored in the sixth and capped Baltimore's scoring with a sacrifice fly in the eighth. The 27-year-old has typically been a slow starter in April and March with a career .624 OPS, but he's on his way to bucking that trend in 2024 after going 3-for-6 with four RBI and two walks in the first two games of the season.

Mountcastle (neck) is starting at first base and batting cleanup in Wednesday's spring game against the Phillies, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old hasn't been in the lineup since Friday due to neck stiffness, but he's ready to rejoin the starting nine Wednesday. The fact Mountcastle is playing defense instead of just serving as the designated hitter indicates there's not much concern over the injury.

Mountcastle (neck) expects to play in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A return for Tuesday's exhibition had been mentioned as a possibility, though that was seen as a best-case scenario after Mountcastle reported neck stiffness over the weekend. He will instead stay back and take live batting practice to prepare for his return to action Wednesday. The 27-year-old has had a bit of a slow spring with a .592 OPS in nine games, but he appears on track to be ready for Opening Day and still projects to see a lot of playing time at DH to begin the season.

Mountcastle (neck) won't be in the lineup for either of Sunday's split-squad games but could return to game action as early as Tuesday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 26-year-old was scratched from Saturday's starting nine after his backed locked up on him while taking some swings, but he's apparently feeling much better a day later. The Orioles are likely to remain cautious so close to the start of the season, but at this point Mountcastle's availability for Opening Day doesn't appear to be in jeopardy.

Mountcastle reported neck stiffness Saturday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mountcastle's neck reportedly began bothering him when he woke up, and it will keep him out of the lineup for at least Saturday's contest. He's considered day-to-day.

Mountcastle (illness) will serve as Baltimore's designated hitter in Friday's spring game against Atlanta, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 27-year-old was scratched from Thursday's lineup due to an illness, but he'll rejoin the starting nine just a day later. Mountcastle clubbed 18 homers in 115 games last season but is hitless through six at-bats during spring training.

Mountcastle was scratched from the Orioles' lineup ahead of Thursday's Grapefruit League game against Pittsburgh due to an illness, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mountcastle is expected to return to Baltimore's lineup within the next couple of days as he fights off his illness. The 27-year-old first baseman slashed .270/.328/.452 with 18 homers and 68 RBI last season and has been held hitless through six at-bats so far this spring.

Mountcastle was scratched from the Orioles' Grapefruit League lineup for Thursday's game versus the Pirates, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The reasoning for the scratch is unclear at the moment, but the O's should offer some clarity soon. Tyler Nevin will sub in for Mountcastle at first base.

Mountcastle signed a one-year, $4.1 million deal with the Orioles on Thursday to avoid arbitration, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mountcastle has developed into a steady player, posting a slugging percentage above .450 in three of his four big-league seasons. He may lose some playing time in 2024 due to the depth in the Orioles' lineup, but he projects to regularly serve as the team's designated hitter or first baseman.