BALTIMORE—The Orioles placed shortstop José Iglesias on the 10-day injured list because of a strained left quadriceps muscle on Tuesday. The move is retroactive to Sunday.
Iglesias has been dealing with this injury since the first series of the season, and the Orioles have been reluctant to make the move because he’s been so productive. In 16 games, Iglesias is batting .400 and has a .977 OPS.
“We felt like giving him extra days would benefit him and us the rest of the season,” manager Brandon Hyde said in his pregame video conference on Tuesday.
“The quad is improving, but with the off day on the 24th, that’s an extra day to have there on the IL. We just felt it was the right thing to do. We need him to play shortstop, and play shortstop for us down the stretch. Putting him on now possibly saves us some time, having to put him on later. We just want the leg to get better is the bottom line.
“He’s a big part of our lineup. He’s been instrumental in so many of our rallies and success that we had the first couple weeks of the season. We’d like to get back to feeling that way. He hasn’t been right since that first series in Boston. We’re just trying to give him a breather and, hopefully, he’ll be back when 10 days is up.”
Iglesias will be eligible to play on August 26th at Tampa Bay.
The Orioles recalled infielder Ramón Urias from the alternate training site at Double-A Bowie.
Urias, who was acquired on waivers from St. Louis during spring training, has yet to play in the major leagues.
Andrew Velázquez, who’s in the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game against the Blue Jays, could get the bulk of the time at shortstop. Pat Valaika, who’s starting at second to give Hanser Alberto a rest, can also play there. Hyde said he’ll decide who starts depending on a matchup with the starting pitcher.
Hyde spoke with Norfolk manager Gary Kendall and Bowie manager Buck Britton about Urias. Both felt in working with him at the alternate site that Urias could play second, short and the outfield, if needed.
“He’s primarily a second baseman with the ability to play shortstop, also,” Hyde said. “He adds some flexibility for us in the middle of the field.”
Along with Cedric Mullins, Velázquez is also filling in for the injured Austin Hays, who’s been on the injured list because of a fractured rib since Saturday. Hays is eligible to return on August 25th.
Is Harvey getting closer? Hunter Harvey, who showed impressive ability in relief late last year, is also on the injured list and hasn’t pitched this season. Hyde said that Harvey’s strained right forearm is improving.
“If everything goes well, and he’s progressing the way he is,” Hyde said, “I would expect him sometime by the end of the month. That would, hopefully, be on this next road trip sometime.”
The Orioles play at Tampa Bay on August 25-27 and against Toronto in Buffalo on August 28-31.
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Andrew Velázquez is our starting shortstop. Think about that for a moment. Andrew Velázquez is the Baltimore Orioles starting shortstop for the foreseeable future. What's up Mike? Weren't one of the 2 cabana boys available for some spot duty?
Still trying for a top 3 draft pick, these stupid W’s keep getting in the way...seriously love to be a fly on the wall when guys are getting called up & hear what Mountcastle has to say...go O’s...
And where is Hanser tonight? Oh ... he's tired is he? You know, it's a 60 game season and the O's are in the hunt. Do you think Hyde & Tank Elias might have a sense of urgency.
Hell no....Elias gives us that Mexican League superstar ... Ramon Urias while the International League MVP shags balls in Bowie and our leadoff hitter is taking a nap.
Sheeesh.
That being said, how's about our boy Santander!!?!
Ken, Alberto was given a night off after going 0-for-9 with five strikeouts. For a player who
rarely strikes out, that's an indication he's tired.
Without Iglesias, the Orioles have only Alberto, Valaika and Velasquez as middle infielders. Velasquez is also the only reserve outfielder. While I am intrigued aobut Mountcastle, and would like to see him up here, the move while Iglesias is out is to get a reserve infielder.
So much for Iron men in Baltimore Rich. You know, I"m no expert, but sometimes guys just go into funks, and I"m sure Alberto isn't immune. I'm sorry, but these guys are professional athletes. Somebody needs to eat their Wheaties and take their green vitamins if they're that tired after only 20 games.
And I wasn't suggesting they play Mountcastle in the infield. However if he were to be a fourth outfielder you wouldn't have to have Valaika out there. Then Vailaika would be the reserve infielder, although I'd have him playing in front of Velasquez.
I'm telling you Rich, it's gonna take an act of Congress before Elias burns a year of service on Mountcastle.
Calling up Mountcastle made all the sense in the world here. Use Velasquez And Valaika as the starting SS and use one as the reserve OF. Mountcastle could’ve started in LF full time. And if we aren’t going to DH Sisco more frequently why should we carry Holaday? Makes no sense unless we’re playing Sisco and Sevie consistently.
2 HR’s (so far), hope they don’t entertain trading him, he’s got a bright future...go O’s...
I don’t really blame Elias for the current SS conundrum. He had Richie and Jose as SS options on the 40 man. They both go down and this is what you get. Very few teams have a decent 3rd SS sitting around.
Santander was a Rule 5 pick?
In December 2016.
Indians were so loaded with talent they couldn't protect him at the time. Duquette snatched him up. Was injured for about 1½ years before tearing Bowie up.
Elias didn’t pick him up?...lol...go O’s...
So Davis goes from being an overpaid “regular” to a role as “bench” player and late inning “defensive replacement”. So, in he goes last night and what does he do? Blows it and a chance for a win! I didn’t see it, ( I refuse to watch FAKE baseball) but how bad can it get when you’re highest paid player proves he’s basically useless... Just saying...
Since you didn’t watch the game, I will let you know what happened. Davis made a very good play on a hard hit ground ball to first. He dived for the ball and got it. On his back he made the throw to Severino. The throw beat the runner, but Severino couldn’t handle it. The error went to Davis, but Severino should have had it. Most likely, Núñez would not have been able to catch the grounder in the first place. So , at least in this instance, wrong to blame Davis. He actually made a good play
Severino to blame. Big league ball players catch that ball.
Thanks for the update.
Rich are most teams carrying two reserve infielders that they also play in the outfield and three catchers. In a slugfest like last night there are no hitters off the bench . I don’t consider Urias and Holoday and of course Davis viable hitters with men on base in the 10th inning. Also from what you’ve seen of Smith jr. this year do you honestly feel that he has a future on this club.