Orioles infielder Jordan Westburg suffered a fractured proper hand when he was hit by a pitch within the fifth inning on Wednesday, O’s skipper Brandon Hyde introduced following the sport (X hyperlink by way of Matt Weyrich of the Baltimore Solar). There’s no fast timetable for his return. Hyde stated he hopes Westburg will be capable to return earlier than the top of the common season, however that’s not a certainty for now.
The lack of Westburg, 25, is a gut-punch for the Orioles. The previous No. 30 general choose (2020) has produced a .269/.317/.497 batting line this season with 18 homers, 25 doubles, 5 triples, six steals and high quality glovework as Baltimore’s main third baseman. Westburg has hit from the second the season started and hasn’t at any level gone right into a prolonged stoop. He’ll head to the 10-day injured record tomorrow, although the O’s might transfer him to the 60-day IL in the event that they want a roster spot and in the event that they count on the harm to sideline him for the rest of the common season.
Happily for the O’s, they’re exceptionally deep in infield expertise — even after Tuesday’s commerce of Connor Norby to the Marlins (in return for lefty Trevor Rogers). Baltimore known as prime prospect Jackson Holliday again to the majors Wednesday — he hit a grand slam for his first massive league homer — and fellow prime prospect Coby Mayo and his highly effective bat are looming in Triple-A Norfolk. Holliday might see time at both third base or second base, although the latter feels extra possible. If the O’s don’t wish to flip to Mayo simply but, utilityman Ramon Urias at the very least supplies sure-handed protection on the sizzling nook and a roughly league-average bat to fit into the underside of the order.
That stated, all eyes determine to show to Mayo till the O’s resolve on their plan of action. The 22-year-old slugger was chosen simply 73 picks after Westburg again in 2020 and has clobbered Triple-A pitching up to now in 2024. Mayo touts a .293/.366/.578 batting line with 20 homers and doubles alike, along with a pair of triples. His stroll price has dipped from 15.7% in 267 Triple-A plate appearances final yr to 9.7% in 331 plate appearances this season, however that’s nonetheless a powerful mark, notably when coupled with what many scouting studies really feel is 70-grade uncooked energy.
Options down in Norfolk embody the just-optioned Terrin Vavra and just-acquired Livan Soto, each of whom have expertise at third base. Neither can be anticipated to come back anyplace near Westburg’s manufacturing, however each might maintain down a utility function if the Orioles need Mayo to proceed growing. Whether it is certainly time for Mayo to make his massive league debut, Baltimore might want to make a transfer to get him on the 40-man roster.
