Getty Jorge Mateo exiting a July 23 game against the Miami Marlins with an elbow injury.
With the extent of Jorge Mateo‘s injury unknown, the Baltimore Orioles are flying number five prospect Connor Norby to Miami. He’ll join the team for the series against the Marlins.
Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports was first with reports.
Hearing Connor Norby is joining #orioles in case Jorge Mateo goes on IL
Norby will be with the team, but as of July 23, is not activated to the 40-man roster. He’s likely to be activated if Mateo can’t play and/or is expected to miss time.
That much is undetermined. Mateo collided with Gunnar Henderson diving for a ground ball in the third inning. His left arm bent awkwardly at the elbow joint and he promptly exited the game.
Team skipper Brandon Hyde didn’t have an update on Mateo following the 6-3 series-opening loss.
“Mateo has a left elbow injury,” Hyde told reporters on July 23. “X-rays are negative, he’s going to get further tests right now. So he’s getting an MRI on that. As of right now he’s day-to-day, but we don’t know the extent of how hurt he is.”
Norby made his MLB debut earlier this season on June 3. He played four games with the team, tallying two singles and a home run, before being optioned back to the Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides.
In 29 games since returning to the minors, Norby is slashing .316/.416/.535 with 7 home runs and 21 RBIs.
Orioles Choose Norby Over Jackson Holliday
With a potential need for second base help, it’s surprising that Baltimore is going with Norby over Jackson Holliday.
Holliday’s flashed major improvements since returning to the minors after a 10-game MLB stint this season. He’s slashing .270/.440/.480 with 8 home runs and 28 RBIs since returning to the Tides in April.
Perhaps that speaks to optimism surrounding Mateo’s injury. Because prior to the All-Star break, general manager Mike Elias told reporters he anticipated Holliday returning to the team in 2024.
“I think both of those players [Coby Mayo and Holliday] have a very good chance of contributing heavily to the 2024 Orioles, and I could see them doing it at the same time too,” Elias said, according to MLB.com’s Jake Rill.
It’s possible the Orioles are waiting for the trade deadline to pass. Holliday has been mentioned as a potential trade piece in a deal for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
The MLB trade deadline is July 30.
Chayce McDermott To Make MLB Debut
Chayce McDermott will take the mound against the Miami Marlins on July 24, and make his MLB debut.
Brandon Hyde announced the move following a 6-3 series opening loss in Miami.
“[Chayce] McDermott is going to start tomorrow,” Hyde told reporters on July 23. “We’ve got to figure a lot of things out at this point.”
McDermott is Baltimore’s number seven prospect, according to MLB.com. No corresponding move has been made to make room for the rookie on the 40-man roster.
He’d joined the team previously on the taxi squad. McDermott will start the second game of the series, and Corbin Burnes will start for the series finale.
The 25-year-old righty is 3-5 in 2024 in Triple-A. McDermott has pitched 91 innings, allowed 10 home runs, and thrown 129 strikeouts.
He’ll be the second Orioles’ pitching prospect to debut this season. Cade Povich started seven games in his debut MLB stint before being optioned prior to the All-Star break.
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Orioles’ No. 5 Prospect Joining Team Amid Jorge Mateo Injury: Report