Jorge Mateo Suffers Damage; Connor Norby Takes Over At Second Base

The Orioles introduced Thursday that they’ve positioned infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo on the 10-day injured listing 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 night time’s MLB debut and recalled righty Bryan Baker, including a contemporary 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 link). It’s not clear but how lengthy he’ll be sidelined. Supervisor Brandon Hyde instructed the Baltimore beat that Mateo will “miss a while,” however there’s nonetheless sufficient swelling to obfuscate the complete restoration image (link via Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Sun). Whereas Mateo didn’t require rapid 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 workers. The Orioles possess sufficient infield depth that they might 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 final result appears much less doubtless now that he’s ticketed for a near-everyday function within the huge leagues.

Mateo, 29, has been the Orioles’ main second baseman this season. He’s batted simply .229/.267/.401 on the yr. 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 like 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 another arbitration increase this offseason and would attain free company following the 2025 marketing campaign. Given the potential of a protracted layoff, the workforce’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 fairly 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 price. Norby’s 27.7% strikeout price 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 huge 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 yr of service in 2024, that means he’ll nonetheless be below membership management for one more 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.