The Orioles introduced Monday that they’ve designated right-hander Thyago Vieira for project. His spot on the roster will go to prime infield prospect Connor Norby, whose beforehand reported promotion to the massive leagues has now been formally introduced by the workforce.
Baltimore additionally positioned infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo on the seven-day concussion listing and recalled left-hander Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles solely not too long ago acquired the 30-year-old Vieira in a commerce with the Brewers, who’d additionally designated him for project. Baltimore added Vieira and righty Aneuris Rodriguez, sending minor league right-hander Garrett Stallings again to Milwaukee. Primarily based on the best way issues performed out with Vieira, it appears Rodriguez was the extra attention-grabbing part of that swap for the O’s.
Vieira made just one look as a member of the Orioles, and it went about as poorly as a debut may go. The best-hander confronted 5 hitters however didn’t retire any of them, yielding a success and 4 walks earlier than being lifted from the sport. He wound up being charged with three runs in what may very nicely find yourself as a particularly transient keep within the group.
Vieira is one in all baseball’s hardest throwers, averaging 98 mph on a fastball that has usually touched triple digits. He’s now appeared in 17 massive league video games this season and yielded runs in 10 of them, nonetheless.
In 22 1/3 frames between the Brewers and O’s, he’s logged an unpleasant 6.85 ERA. Regardless of his premium velocity, Vieira’s shaky command has undercut his means to pile up strikeouts. This yr’s 22.5% strikeout price is successfully league-average (22.3%), however his 15.3% stroll price is likely one of the highest marks in baseball. He’s additionally struggled with dwelling runs, yielding a mean of two.42 massive flies per 9 innings.
Although his MLB expertise is proscribed, Vieira had a principally strong run with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Skilled Baseball from 2020-22. Command was nonetheless an issue for him even when pitching abroad, however he notched a 3.61 ERA there and whiffed 26.2% of his opponents. His pre-NPB observe document within the majors was almost as spotty as his outcomes up to now in 2024, nonetheless.
Total, he’s totaled 51 MLB innings however posted a 6.71 ERA with a 20.7% strikeout price and 13% stroll price. The Orioles can have every week to commerce Vieira, try and move him by way of outright waivers or launch him.
As for Mateo, he’ll head to the concussion listing on the heels of a freak damage. He was clipped within the head by teammate Cedric Mullins’ bat when Mateo reached into the on-deck circle to seize a weight for his bat. Ramon Urias subsequently pinch-hit for Mateo.
As soon as the Orioles’ main shortstop, Mateo has as a substitute seen the majority of his motion at second base this yr, along with 4 appearances in middle and two at his now-former shortstop slot. He’s hitting .246/.294/.447 with three homers and 10 stolen bases in 128 plate appearances on the yr.
