The Orioles introduced Thursday that they’ve positioned infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo on the 10-day injured checklist as a result of a subluxation (i.e. partial dislocation) of his left elbow. Fellow infielder/outfielder Connor Norby is up from Triple-A Norfolk in his place. Baltimore additionally optioned righty Chayce McDermott to Norfolk following final evening’s MLB debut and recalled righty Bryan Baker, including a recent arm to the bullpen.
Mateo suffered the damage on Tuesday in a collision with shortstop Gunnar Henderson when each infielders slid for an up-the-middle grounder (video hyperlink). It’s not clear but how lengthy he’ll be sidelined. Supervisor Brandon Hyde informed the Baltimore beat that Mateo will “miss a while,” however there’s nonetheless sufficient swelling to obfuscate the complete restoration image (hyperlink through Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Solar). Whereas Mateo didn’t require speedy surgical procedure, his arm was positioned in a solid on Tuesday. He’ll finally obtain a second opinion, Weyrich tweets, and Hyde added that it’s “too quickly” to inform whether or not Mateo will want surgical procedure sooner or later.
With Mateo out for an indefinite interval, Norby will “get some common enjoying time” at second base, Hyde revealed. It’s a notable growth each within the sense that Norby has ranked among the many system’s greatest prospects since he was chosen within the second spherical of the 2021 draft and within the sense that Norby has been a oft-speculated commerce candidate because the O’s look to improve their pitching employees. The Orioles possess sufficient infield depth that they may nonetheless commerce Norby — Jordan Westburg and Ramon Urias can each play second base, and prime prospects Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo are looming within the higher minors — however that consequence appears much less doubtless now that he’s ticketed for a near-everyday position within the massive leagues.
Mateo, 29, has been the Orioles’ major second baseman this season. He’s batted simply .229/.267/.401 on the 12 months. That’s 13% worse than league-average, by measure of wRC+, however Mateo has offered modest pop (5 homers, .172 ISO) and loads of worth on the basepaths (13-for-15 in steals). Defensive metrics really feel he’s been roughly common with the glove — his penchant for highlight-reel performs not withstanding.
With what looks as if a notable absence and even a possible for surgical procedure on the desk, Mateo’s outlook in Baltimore turns into cloudy. He’s due for yet one more arbitration increase this offseason and would attain free company following the 2025 marketing campaign. Given the potential for an extended layoff, the group’s enviable infield depth and the truth that Mateo is owed a increase on a $2.7MM wage, he might once more emerge as an offseason commerce candidate or non-tender candidate, relying on the final word prognosis for his damage.
The 24-year-old Norby isn’t more likely to be a defensive improve however may be moderately anticipated to offer a lift to an already potent lineup. He’s hitting .297/.389/.519 in Norfolk (133 wRC+) with 16 residence runs, 21 doubles, a triple, 13 steals (in 16 tries) and a stout 12.5% stroll charge. Norby’s 27.7% strikeout charge with the Tides is a purple flag, however punchouts haven’t been a long-running downside for the East Carolina College product.
Norby made his massive league debut earlier this season, showing in 4 video games and going 3-for-14 with a house run earlier than being despatched again down. He can’t accrue a full 12 months of service in 2024, that means he’ll nonetheless be beneath membership management for an additional six full seasons. He’s within the first of his three minor league choice years and gained’t be arbitration-eligible till the 2027-28 offseason on the earliest.
