Latest on Lowther's recovery from shoulder injury

The annual revealing of the non-roster invites for spring training bring equal parts curiosity over the biggest names and the group of suspicious omissions. The latter can be fueled by prospect status or by previous opportunities in the majors. There's got to be a reason for the exclusion.

The same holds true when the Orioles share their list of extra players brought over from minor league camp for home games or the travel roster.

Zac Lowther was absent from all of it.

Didn’t receive an invitation, didn’t appear at Ed Smith Stadium or on the team bus.

So, what exactly is going on with Lowther, 27, who made his major league debut in 2021, got one relief appearance the following season and seems to have disappeared?

The former top 30 prospect and the organization’s co-Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2018 is recovering from an injury to his left shoulder, known as an “impingement,” and is cleared to face hitters this week at the Sarasota complex.

Lowther said in a phone interview over the weekend that he noticed the discomfort about a week before spring training.

“It just felt like my arm was dead,” he said, “and when we got down here a week later there was still some inflammation, so I got an MRI that told us everything and then got a cortisone shot and went from there.”

Lowther needed just the one injection, followed by a long period of rest.

“Just taking a little longer to come back from in terms of throwing program and whatnot,” he said. “Just a little longer than normal, nothing too serious.”

Lowther said he was doing his normal throwing at a workout facility in Nashville. A bullpen session that set off the alarms.

“It just didn’t recover the right way,” he said.

The plan is set up for Lowther to throw some live batting practice sessions after several months of bullpen work, get comfortable again with hitters “and make my way back up to Norfolk or wherever they want to send me,” he said.

“We’ll see what we want to do. It’s definitely progressing. It’s a little slower than I wanted to, but at this point I’d rather be healthy than rush it.”

Doing both wasn’t possible. Like any injured player, Lowther had to be patient. He couldn’t worry about the time lost and the pitching prospects blowing past him.

He couldn't let himself wonder if the Orioles had moved on from him.

“It was frustration in the beginning when it happened going into spring training, but now that I’ve gone through it, the rehab process has been really good,” he said. “Trying to be stronger than when I got in. Just making sure everything’s finished up before we headed into the throwing program, and make sure I was in a good place before advancing every step. I was happy with it.”

The Orioles designated Lowther for assignment on June 15, 2022, after claiming infielder Jonathan Araúz off waivers from the Red Sox. He had a 10.03 ERA in 35 innings. Teams passed on Lowther, and the Orioles outrighted him.

The 10 games and six starts in the majors in 2021 left Lowther with a 6.67 ERA and 1.652 WHIP in 29 2/3 innings. The relief appearance last May 31 against Seattle, on the day he was recalled, produced five earned runs and six total with eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The Orioles optioned him the next day and never brought him back.

Lowther is fighting to get back on the 40-man and eventually the Orioles' active roster.

“I’m excited to kind of just shake off the past couple years of some struggles and whatnot,” he said. “Work my way back up and hopefully put myself in a spot to help this team.”

A team that Lowther has been monitoring and enjoying from afar. Down in Florida with other players rehabbing from injuries and surgeries.

“Just the way everyone’s been playing, it’s been fun to watch,” he said. “It has everyone down in Florida itching to get back and get up there and help. Guys down here like John Means, he’s just itching to get back and be part of the team and get back to winning baseball.”

Means is projected to return in July after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

“He’s been looking good,” Lowther said. “I’m excited for him.”