Orioles broadcaster Ben McDonald provides update on planned return date after hunting accident

Baltimore Orioles color analyst Ben McDonald has been in the thoughts of countless Orioles fans after informing the fanbase of a recent incident where he fell 25 feet out of a deer stand while hunting on Thursday. But fortunately, according to McDonald who updated fans about his recovery process on Sunday, he will be returning to work next week if all goes to plan.

In a post on social media on Friday from a hospital bed, McDonald explained how he had sustained a concussion and two cracked vertebrae, but was otherwise in good spirits and optimistic about his recovery.

This is what a severe concussion looks like and sounds like!🤦‍♂️ (I still don’t remember anything) Apparently I fell out of a deer stand 25 feet up yesterday morning….I’m fine and appreciate everyone checking on me. Very lucky….concussion and 2 cracked vertebra’s….I’ll be back… pic.twitter.com/uvczgV1uOq

— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) July 19, 2025

McDonald provided another update from his home on Sunday night, informing Orioles fans that he does still have one roadblock, a check-up with a neurologist, to ultimately be cleared to return to work. But if that meeting goes well, he plans to return to calling games next Friday when they play the Colorado Rockies. Additionally, McDonald shared his appreciation for all of the well wishes he has received from fans and colleagues alike.

“Howdy, howdy,” said McDonald in his video posted on X Sunday. “Man, I’ll tell you what, I took a nasty fall, which a lot of y’all know. I am fine, I want everybody to know that I am fine. Severe concussion, I guess. I still don’t remember anything about it. A couple cracked vertebrae’s in my back that is going to heal fine. Honestly, the more I move around, the better I feel. Can’t move around a whole lot, doctors orders, but I am moving around a little bit.

“Anyway, just wanted to hop on real quick and say thank you. So many texts messages I have not been able to answer yet. Doctor said to stay off the cellphone, so I have been pretty much doing that overall. A lot of comments on social media I have not gotten around to. But I just want everybody to know that I am fine. I am going to be okay. I have got one more checkup with a neurologist on Tuesday. If everything goes well, I will be back and behind the mic in bird land on Friday, which I am looking forward to.

“Anyway, thank you so much for reaching out. Thank you to everybody. Certainly scary. I don’t know how scary it was because I don’t remember a thing about it, to be honest with you. But I know I fell 25 feet out of a deer stand. I always wear a safety belt. And I encourage you to do the same thing. I always do when I was hunting. But for whatever reason, went up to pop the stand out and I ended up on my back. Lesson learned, so wear a safety belt. I got lucky, I am here talking about it. But I will from now on have a safety belt on at all times.”

Thank you all for reaching out….sorry I haven’t been able to text back yet or respond on social media like I would like….appreciate everyone checking on me….I’ll be fine….still sore as hell but the Good Lord certainly had a hand in this….I’m still here! Love you guys! 👊 pic.twitter.com/6vFA9vovkm

— Ben McDonald (@realbenmcdonald) July 21, 2025

McDonald is obviously one of the most beloved figures in the history of the Orioles organization, playing for the team from 1989 to 1995 before ultimately returning as a broadcaster. So it is quite obvious that Orioles fans want McDonald back as soon as possible. And thankfully, it sounds as if McDonald won’t be forced to be out of the broadcast booth for all that long.