Orioles haven’t found many opportunities for Mayo; Blewett to IL, Wolfram recalled, Martin designated for assignment

BALTIMORE—After starting 16 games in June and hitting .246 with his first major league home run and eight RBIs, Coby Mayo has started just two games in July. He’s hitless in six at-bats.

Interim manager Tony Mansolino has played Mayo against left-handed starters, and the Orioles haven’t faced many recently. Overall, Mayo is hitting .205 with a home run and nine RBIs in 26 games.

Mansolino said the return of Tyler O’Neill, who’s hitting just .176, and Jordan Westburg from the injured list has made it harder to find spots for him to play.

“Right now, we’re in a situation where we’re trying to win games,” said Mansolino, whose team is 43-52 at the Aall-Star break. “Coby’s played against every left-handed pitcher so far. I don’t think working your way into the big leagues and learning how to hit lefties is a bad way to do it.”

Mansolino said because he has four outfielders — O’Neill, Colton Cowser, Ramón Laureano and Cedric Mullins — and a healthy Westburg, it’s hard to find time for both Mayo and Ramón Urías.

“It’s a tough situation, but Coby’s handling it great,” Mansolino said. “I think in Coby’s case, he’s spent enough time in Triple-A. You’ve got to think through, ‘What’s the benefit of having him in Triple-A, and putting up numbers versus playing against lefties, which he has and occasional righties, and being in the big leagues and getting the opportunity to learn the big league game, to mature in the big leagues?’

“He can go down and play every day. You can make that choice right now, and we’ve talked about it … Where we’ve landed right now. He’s playing against lefties.”

Although Mayo appears to be making strides, Mansolino keeps referring to player development.

“We have to make the choice to win to games,” Mansolino said. “The Baltimore Orioles need to win games. We’re still not out of this thing … There’s still a path forward for us, and until that path disappears, our No. 1 priority has to be to win, and second, development.”

Blewett goes to injured list: The Orioles placed right-hander Scott Blewett on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Blewett allowed four runs in Saturday’s 6-0 loss to the Marlins. He’s 1-0 with a 6.17 ERA in 13 games. Catcher David Bañuelos was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk. Blewett is the 15th Oriole to be placed on the IL.

Wolfram is back: The Orioles wanted to add a second left-hander to their bullpen to close out the first half of the season, and they recalled Grant Wolfram from Triple-A Norfolk.

As the 27^th man, Wolfram pitched two scoreless innings, allowing one hit, against the New York Mets in the first game of Thursday’s doubleheader.

“He looked so good the other day against the Mets,” Mansolino said. “It was two innings. It’s 98. It’s a curveball. It’s a slider.”

Because he served as the 27^th man, the Orioles didn’t have to keep him in the minor leagues for 15 days, and he wasn’t going to be available for perhaps two days after throwing two innings.

“That’s something you dream of,” Wolfram said of his first major league win. “You go up against a guy like Juan Soto … To get the opportunity to be on a big league mound to face those guys, it’s a dream for sure.”

The Orioles designated right-hander Corbin Martin for assignment. Martin allowed one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out two on July 2^nd.

“I wish we would have gotten him in there more,” Mansolino said. “He looked so good the outing in Texas. He looked so good, and we went on this run where we were winning games, so you’re going to use your [top] guys when you’re winning games.”

Note: The Orioles are expected to start Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Trevor Rogers in their series at Tampa Bay next weekend.

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