Orioles' Cowser fractures hand after HBP in Game 2 loss

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser fractured his left hand during Wednesday's season-ending playoff loss to the Kansas City Royals, the team announced.

While facing Royals left-hander Angel Zerpa in the fifth inning, a pitch hit Cowser and he subsequently struck out.

Cowser remained in the game until he was replaced in left field by Heston Kjerstad during the top of the seventh inning.

The 24-year-old Cowser is a front-runner for American League Rookie of the Year after slashing .242/.321/.447 with 24 home runs and 69 RBIs in 153 regular-season games.

He went 1-for-7 in the wild-card series loss to the Royals.