Rich Dubroff

Orioles add Herrera for infield depth; Stewart returns from Bowie; Alberto out with knee injury

BALTIMORE—The Orioles purchased the contract of infielder Dilson Herrera from their alternate site at Bowie and recalled outfielder DJ Stewart from Bowie on Tuesday.

Herrera, who was signed as a minor league free agent last December, has a .203 lifetime batting average with 11 home runs and 23 RBIs in 102 major league games with the New York Mets in 2014 and 2015 and Cincinnati in 2018.

Stewart, the team’s No. 1 draft choice in 2015, began the season with the Orioles but was sent to Bowie when the rosters were reduced from 30 to 28 on August 6th. He was hitless in 15 at-bats with eight strikeouts, though he did walk six times.

Herrera was added because Hanser Alberto suffered a knee injury running out a drag bunt to first base in the 10th inning of Monday’s 4-3 11-inning victory over the Toronto Blue Jays that ended a five-game losing streak. Alberto will likely miss  the two-game series with the Mets that begins Tuesday night at Camden Yards.

“Kind of hurt it jamming it into the base,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He felt some knee soreness, and didn’t finish the game. Today, he does feel better, and we’re encouraged by that, but he definitely is day-to-day. We’re not sure he’s going to be able to play this series.”

The Orioles have an offday on Thursday before they play a doubleheader against the New York Yankees on Friday.

“DJ has been swinging the bat very well at our secondary site,” Hyde said. “We wanted to see him get back up here, and he’s going to be in the mix. I want to get him in the lineup. Another young player that we need to find out more about.

“We’ve got to get him some more at-bats. That’s why he’s here. He got here today, and I’m going to try to get him in the lineup.”

To make room on the roster, the Orioles designated outfielder Mason Williams for assignment. Williams was hitting .182 (2-for-11).

“Mason was kind of covering us a little bit for [Ryan] Mountcastle with Mountcastle’s inexperience defensively, and I think Ryan is starting to get a lot more comfortable in left field. You’ve seen that the last couple of days. It was more about getting DJ here than anything else.”

The Orioles have 38 players on their 40-man roster and 57 in their 60-man player pool.

Centerfielder Austin Hays, who has been on the 10-day injured list since August 15th because of a rib fracture, should begin baseball activities in the next few days.

“Feeling much better,” Hyde said. “Hopefully, on the track to join us sometime in the next two weeks.”.

First baseman Chris Davis, who’s on the IL because of left knee injury, is still resting, Hyde said.

What’s with players to be named later: The trading deadline is over, and since the season began, Orioles executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has made five trades, which netted three known players — left-handed pitcher Kevin Smith from the New York Mets for Miguel Castro, and infielders Tyler Nevin and Terrin Vavra from the Colorado Rockies, who were obtained for Mychal Givens.

Elias received six players to be named later, although the number might be reduced to five because the Mets agreed to a player to be named later or cash.

Fans might be confused about the players to be named later because in the past they equated to low-level prospects who rarely amounted to much. That could still be the case, but this year it’s much different.

Nevin, Smith and Vavra were identified because they were at their team’s alternate sites as part of their 60-man player pools, and they’ll be going to Bowie, the Orioles’ alternate sites.

In 2020, players can only be traded for others who are part of the 60-man player pool.

Players who aren’t part of the 60-man pool can’t be identified.

“Those names will be named at the appropriate time,” Elias said in a video conference call on Sunday night.

“Obviously, there are some strange restrictions in place this year. You’re seeing an uptick in player-to-be-named later trades. I think you can draw your own conclusions about why, but I’m looking forward to naming those mystery players at some point and, hopefully, welcoming them to the organization.”

Because only 32 players can be at an alternate site, a large number of desirable prospects can’t be brought to camp.

The Orioles don’t have a number of top prospects in camp because there simply isn’t room. Pitchers Gray Fenter, Blaine Knight, Zac Lowther, Drew Rom and Alexander Wells aren’t at the alternate site. Nor is Heston Kjerstad, this year’s top draft choice.

Nevin, Smith and Vavra are on lists of top prospects, and so might some of the others who were obtained in trades. They just haven’t been invited to teams’ alternate sites.

Rich Dubroff

Rich Dubroff grew up in Brooklyn as a fan of New York teams, but after he moved to Baltimore, quickly adopted the Orioles and Colts. After nearly two decades as a freelancer assisting on Orioles coverage for several outlets, principally The Capital in Annapolis and The Carroll County Times, Dubroff began covering the team fulltime in 2011. He spent five years at Comcast SportsNet’s website and for the last two seasons, wrote for PressBoxonline.com, Dubroff lives in Baltimore with his wife of more than 30 years, Susan.

View Comments

  • Dilson Herrera ... uhhhh .... ok.

    And Mason Williams is sent back down with an entire 11 at bats. We hardly knew him. Need to look at Stewart some more... in other words the season must be over, why bother trying?

    And Mountcastle is feeling more comfortable in left field with a few games under his belt is he? 2 Months of shagging flies in Bowie and he wasn't comfortable yet? Baseball is just so full of itself. Left field ... the demands are just unbelievable. Takes a special type of player to man that position I suppose.

    Even Kevin Costner would blush with the yarn a manager has to spin ....

    I liked the trades, and I understand why they had to be, but frankly I'm disgusted that as well as these guys have performed and busted their butts this year, that the management, true to form, couldn't press this thing to the finish line. The guys still on this team deserve a bit better.

    Maybe they can win some more despite everything.

    Love you O's!

    • @BRR - I sense that you continue to bit a bit annoyed at Elias, but a little confused. Did you want to keep any or all of the guys traded? Villar back at our utility guy? Keep Mason and leave DJ in Bowie? Is there someone who was traded that the O's should have traded for? CD is "resting", we have four of the five outfielders that you have stressed should have been here sooner (Mullins, Santander, Stewart, Hays (IL) and RM. Sisco is DH or C, playing regularly. Fielding by all IFs has been streaky with their offense and defense. I like your posts, don't agree with all of them of course, but I like to read your view. I would have thought your would have been pleased with moving the pieces yesterday and getting the young bloods engaged. Maybe the two acquisitions from the Rockies will join the Bowie crew and we could see one or both before year-end. I am disappointed that the O's (Hyde and Sulser) blew a couple of wins over the weekend. It is what young and/or inexperienced players do. Hope the O's start another streak that puts them back in contention. Know you do too.

      • I dunno Phil ... I'm just that tired old man yelling at all the neighborhood kids to get off my lawn. 2 years of tanking have taken their toll.

        No...I liked the trades over the past 2 days, especially the trade with the Rockies. Looks like we got a nice prospect in Kevin Smith. I'm a bit Castro fan, but he's so hit & miss, that it was time to move on from him. Also the Givens trade looks like Elias fleeced the Rockies.

        I'm still PO'ed at Elias for what I consider another tanking move by waiting til midseason before bringing up Mountcastle. He did the same thing last year with Santander, Sisco and Hays. There was absolutely no reason to hold these kids back, other than ... you know where I'm going. I'm certainly no expert, but I follow enough to know that these cats were better than the guys that broke camp these past 2 years. And I know everybody is going to scream "extra year of control" ... but that's BS. Hey, if you want someone to play for you in 4/5 years from now ... PAY THEM. The O's ARE a major league them are they not?

        And the excuse for holding back RM this year was so he could learn to play left freakin' field? C'mon man ..history is rife with leftfielders that couldn't run and chew gum, but somehow they managed. If you can't play left field after the 5th grade, maybe your future is on the Quidditch pitch.

        So yeah ... I'm just moaning today for the sake of moaning. But when I read "Dilson Herrera" ... ouch! A .203 lifetime hitter is the best you could do? Last I heard our boy JJ Hardy still hadn't announced his retirement. Make a freakin' phone call or 2 Mike! Dilson Herrara. Puhleeeeze.

        And now poor Mason Williams gets jerked around again because he hasn't hit like Ruth in his 11 at bats. Horse pucky. So the guys some loyalty will you? Oh we have to look at Stewart again. Really? If so, why'd you send him down in the 1st place?

        Ya know, I know the future is looking a little brighter, but I'm just a tired old fart hoping I live long enough to witness the O's win another Series. It's been 27 years now ... if it takes another 27, I doubt I'm going to make it.

        I apologize everyone, I don't have any of the good stuff that 660sfan is referring to, and I'm grouchy. Now get off myh lawn

          • O......................My.............................Gosh

            Not sure what I'm more disappointed in ... the fact that it's be 37 .....or the fact that my math sucks so badly!

        • Fair enough. Can't disagree with the poor spin. Two in a row, though. Maybe the one dimensional players can keep it going. Nice lawn.

  • Sounds like they could put five guys total on their rosters, again, sending the wrong message to your # 2 with spots open, two other top pitchers could be getting coaching & better, but that might be too quick for the Elias Bunch...go O’s...

    • Why would you put a player on the 60-man roster that is not ready for major league service? Then to move them back down they have to pass through waivers. I don't understand your thinking, do you really think a number 2 draft pick would pass through waivers??? Please whatever you're smoking, pass it along 'cause it must be good stuff....

    • You have room for 3 in the minor camp, read CAREFULLY, that’s where I would put them, stuff the smoking stuff up your a$$, don’t find it funny...go O’s...

  • Not much faith in Mason Williams. I mean jeeze, 11 plate appearances then a DFA? Why bring him up at all? I’m not sure Wojo is long for this world either, perhaps he’s next on the block and we get a peek at Kremer. I don’t understand why the PTNL stuff is so cloak and dagger. What’s it matter we know who they are if they aren’t at one of the camps? Seems silly to me.

    • Agree 100% with everything there Bancells, not sure why the big secrets are, “it’s the rules” we’ll be told, I’d rather see Kremer as well...go O’s...

    • I just don’t know about Harvey. He seems so fragile. The Orioles may end up getting more career innings out of Cesar Valdez than Mr. Harvey.

      Ok, full disclosure… I’ve suddenly become a big Cesar Valdez fan. I like rooting for the underdog, I admire his persistence, I like the Cinderella story, and I want to show support to a fellow old guy (and I’m not talking about you Boog).

        • I "LUV" you, Boog. I agree with most everything you say.
          And I am old enough to remember the O's first WS win in 1966 and the O's glory days of 1969-1971. 318 wins in 3 years!!! That 3 year run is rated one of the best 3 year runs in history. Although I am sure the Boy Genius" could put together a much better team. Just ask him.

    • Raymo.....Harvey certainly needs to prove he can stay healthy and more durable.

      I did like what I saw out of Valdez

  • The two hits Mason got in his 11 at bats is better then the zero that DJ in his 12 or so at bats plus now there is no one to cover CF until Hays gets back so doesn’t that limit late inning replacement. The biggest joke is Davis hes nowhere near playing because of his poor tendinitis yet Elias and Hyde are not ruling him out for the year . Billy Ripken said he feels bad for Davis because he knows he cares. He cares enough to have all these minor injuries so he can’t not embarrass himself but still collect his millions

    • I’ve said it before. If the man had a shred of decency or dignity he would retire and forfeit the remainder of his contract.

    • Exactly or atleast negotiate a buyout so the club and fans don’t have to suffer for two more years of this. How does this man sleep at night knowing he’s hurting the team whenever he’s active on the roster and all these fake injuries, sinuses , tendinitis etc.

    • I know you watch every single inning of every game in Florida, Bruce, and I'm shocked you didn't note the two horrible baserunning decisions made by Williams, getting thrown out at the plate twice during the Toronto series.

      One thing you haven't noticed, as astute a fan as you are, is that the team is showing less patience with players who make mistakes, players who aren't heady players. After Dwight Smith Jr., who you wanted jettisoned, made unforgiveable errors, he was designated for assignment, and the same has happened to Williams.

      You wanted the Orioles to let him go, and now that he's been designated for assignment, any team will be free to pick him up on waivers. We'll see if any does. If they don't, and I doubt any will, he could be back in Bowie as an emergency replacement.

      For the moment, Velazquez is the center field replacement. Santander started 20 games there last season, and he could play therre in an emgergency.

      • Sorry, Rich. A LOT of the O's players make horrible baserunning decisions and are sloppy in the field (Like one tool player Hanser Alberto who hits for average but has ZERO other skills.) Either the O's have a lot of dumb players or their coaches are terrible teachers.

    • I didn’t see either one live just videos. Rich. The first one after his triple I wasn’t sure if it was a missed squeeze or a missed read sign by him. The second one I thought it was a great throw by the outfielder don’t know if he got a late start or not. Now DJ has made a lot of bonehead plays in the field and shown nothing at the plate but you have no problem bringing him up again because he was drafted by the team. As far as my comments on Davis who obviously is not seriously injured you don’t comment on that and how they are just enabling him and hiding to me atleast the real reason he’s not here because he just can’t play anymore

    • Hey I have no problem with Davis for collecting what he's owed. I'm sure he's not happy with his performance, but never-the-less, he's entitled to those millions. I sincerely doubt he stinks on purpose. The O's gave it to him. Personally, I know I'd make sure I collected if I were in his shoes. It's up to the O's to cut him loose if they so desire. Place the blame on them. I imagine at this point, that he'd probably prefer they did. BUT if I were in is shoes, there's no way I'd walk away. It would be irresponsible to his family, and certainly, his union brothers.

    • Sinuses , tendinitis or the many flus hrs had and other not very serious injuries most players with play with those in my opinion especially in a short season and with the money he’s paid. To clarify I didn’t see Williams get thrown out in a run down that’s why I asked who’s fault it was here

  • I know this is an O’s site but for pure entertainment value we might all wanna watch the finale of the series between the Rays and Yanks. It could get real ugly. I’m sure the umps are not gonna let anything get out of hand but after last night it’s not gonna take much at all. Social distancing be damned if someone gets plunked in that game. It’ll be on. My only problem is I’m not sure who’s ass I want to see get kicked more.

    • I have no problem seeing the Yankees' arses kicked 24/7 - and you're right. It should be a great game to watch. It's the Yanks-Ray's final regular season game against each other, and I figure the Rays are going to start some pitcher that's expendable. GO RAYS (today)....

  • Davis has never been the same since the Adderall was taken away from him and I’m not sure what drug was replaced . Im sorry he’s hurting the progress of this club and like I’ve said many times before a buyout will still leave him richer then 99 per cent of Americans and sometimes keeping integrity is worth more then embarrassment

    • Agree with you Bhoffman1. Don't know if it was the Adderall, tobacco or whatever his addiction was. Good fielder, but next to nothing offensively since 2017. Bottom line is Chris Davis is DONE as a productive everyday player. Angelos, Elias, and Davis need to sit down with his agent and work out a buyout. The Orioles cannot successfully rebuild with this guy. Putting Davis in the Oriole lineup is like driving a BMW with the handbrake engaged.

  • Agree with the guys down on CD, but his agent & the union will not allow him to retire, everyone wants their cut, as much as I think he should be gone & cost the O's no money, he & they agreed to a contract, someone disagreed with me strongly regarding this fact when he went on the IR, your opinion, but a contract is a contract, I'm guessing 99% of the guys on here would sit the bench for the next two yrs & gladly accept his contract...the integrity part is the contract, he's just honoring it...go O's...

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Rich Dubroff

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