masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe latest roster move made by the Orioles this afternoon occurred after they decided that Maikel Franco’s day-to-day status was leaving them vulnerable.
Franco hasn’t played in a week due to a sprained right ankle and today went on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. Kelvin Gutierrez replaces him on the active roster and is on the bench for tonight’s game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.
“Without an extra infielder … he wasn’t available in Anaheim, wasn’t available…

The latest roster move made by the Orioles this afternoon occurred after they decided that Maikel Franco’s day-to-day status was leaving them vulnerable.

Franco hasn’t played in a week due to a sprained right ankle and today went on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Sunday. Kelvin Gutierrez replaces him on the active roster and is on the bench for tonight’s game against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

“Without an extra infielder … he wasn’t available in Anaheim, wasn’t available last night, either, so we’ve been playing with just the infielders that have been on the field,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

Franco-Rounds-Third-HR-White-Sidebar.jpg“If something happens to one of these guys, we’re going to have to get creative. He’s just not ready to go yet. The ankle’s still bothering him.”

Franco tried to get ready to play yesterday and had to be scratched from the lineup. He performed some fielding drills this afternoon and shut it down.

Gutierrez is the latest new arrival and can become the 46th player used by the Orioles this season. He’s wearing No. 82.

Asked what he knows about Gutierrez, Hyde said, “Not much.”

The left side of the infield is injured, with Freddy Galvis recovering from a strained right quadriceps muscle. Hyde is pleased with the defense offered by the replacements.

“They’ve been solid,” Hyde said. “The main thing for us is just, and any team, is to make the routine play. We’ve done a pretty good job of that. I think (Domingo) Leyba has done a nice job over at third base, made some nice plays. Ramón (Urías) and Pat (Valaika) have both been solid. So I’m just asking to make the routine play and get to balls that they can, and they’ve been doing that for the most part.”

Urías is the shortstop tonight with Leyba at third base and Valaika at second. Ryan McKenna is the left fielder and Austin Hays is in right. Austin Wynns is catching.

Anthony Santander joins Gutierrez on the bench after homering onto Eutaw Street last night. Another chance to rest his left ankle.

Urías has moved up to fifth in the order for the second time in the majors.

Trey Mancini’s competition in the Home Run Derby is set:

Shohei Ohtani
Pete Alonso
Juan Soto
Trevor Story
Salvador Perez
Matt Olson
Joey Gallo

Hyde is waiting to find out whether Cedric Mullins is starting as Mike Trout’s replacement.

Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis is starting tonight at Triple-A Norfolk.

The Blue Jays optioned reliever Trent Thornton this afternoon and placed pitcher Trevor Richards on the active roster.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Ramón Urías SS
Ryan McKenna LF
Pat Valaika 2B
Domingo Leyba 3B
Austin Wynns C

Matt Harvey RHP