The Baltimore Orioles are facing a hiccup in their roster, as infielder Jorge Mateo hits the 10-day injured list due to a nasty collision that resulted in a dislocated elbow, an event that thins out the team's defense and subtracts a dose of much-needed speed on the bases. According to WBAL-TV, the incident occurred Tuesday night and marks Mateo's second time away from the diamond this season, following a previous concussion protocol after being inadvertently struck in the head with a teammate’s bat.
Despite Mateo's absence, which will sideline him until at least August 3, the Orioles are bolstering their lineup with the recall of rookie Conor Norby, expected to fill in the infield gaps. Norby's prior run with the team was a brief interlude in June, yielding a .214 average over four games—an introduction that now seems like a prelude to a more extended opportunity. This shakeup follows a span where Mateo's offensive contribution cooled down, his batting average dipping to .229 despite stealing 13 bases over 68 games.
In other rotations, the Orioles are reviving their bullpen by bringing up relief pitcher Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk, while simultaneously sending down Chayce McDermott, the hopeful prospect who made a splashy MLB debut. As per a FOX Baltimore report, McDermott's return to the minors may be short-lived, with a potential callback for Monday's double-header against Toronto on the horizon.
