Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo has been placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a left elbow transient dislocation. Going for a ball up the middle, Jorge Mateo collided with shortstop Gunnar Henderson in the third inning of the Orioles series-opening loss to the Marlins. Mateo’s left arm appeared tangled with Henderson’s legs, forcing his elbow and arm to bend backward. The 29-year-old infielder was in visible pain as he held onto his left arm, just above his elbow. Still holding his arm, Mateo was helped off the field by Brian Ebel and the Orioles training staff. Ramón Urías replaced Mateo in the lineup, slotting in at third base as Jordan Westburg shifted from third to second.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/JeZFP7OgbT
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 25, 2024
After the game, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde stated Mateo’s X-rays were negative, but he would undergo an MRI. Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect, second baseman Connor Norby, was added to the Orioles taxi squad and will start at second base for Thursday’s series finale. Hyde said on Wednesday that Mateo is “going to miss some time,” allowing Norby to get some regular playing time. While Norby was already a member of Baltimore’s 40-man roster, the Orioles optioned right-hander Chayce McDermott following his MLB debut yesterday and recalled reliever Bryan Baker from Triple-A Norfolk.
Orioles Place Jorge Mateo On The Injured List After Dislocating Elbow
Recently, the subject of trade rumors, Norby made his MLB debut last month, appearing in four games before returning to Triple-A Norfolk. Slashing .297/.389/.519 and a .908 OPS through 80 games, leading the Tides in batting average. Norby made a good first impression going 3-for-14 with a homer in his first big league opportunity. Drawing four starts at second base for the Orioles in June, the 24-year-old can play the outfield as well.
While it’s unclear how much time Mateo may miss, he’s been a key part of the Orioles infield this season. Drawing 52 starts at second base, the longtime shortstop has delivered Gold Glove caliber defense as Baltimore’s primary second baseman. All-Star infielder Jordan Westburg drew the bulk of the starts at the keystone when Mateo suffered a concussion last month, which will likely continue.
Main Photo Credits: James A. Pittman-USA TODAY Sports
