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The Orioles put rookie Brandon Young on the 15-day injured list this afternoon with a strained left hamstring and selected reliever Matt Bowman’s contract from Triple-A Norfolk. A short time later, interim manager Tony Mansolino announced that infielder Jordan Westburg was going on the 15-day IL with a sprained right ankle.
So much for Westburg’s day-to-day status.
Infielder Vimael Machín had his contract selected after spending yesterday on the 24-hour medical taxi squad, and he’s wearing No. 65. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2022 with the Athletics.
Closer Félix Bautista and catcher Gary Sánchez were transferred to the 60-day IL to create openings on the 40-man roster.
Machín will be the 63rd player used if he gets into a game, breaking the franchise record of 62 set in 2021. He’s played in 105 games with the Tides and is batting .287/.346/.475 with 25 doubles, two triples, 15 home runs and 70 RBIs. He was 7-for-13 with three doubles over three games before going 0-for-5 on Sunday.
Machín is hitting .297/.352/.505 against right-handers.
Westburg missed about six weeks with a hamstring strain and also had to sit out a few games with an injury to his left index finger. He tried to work out earlier today on the field and the Orioles decided to shut him down.
“He was playing catch and it was just a little bit sore,” Mansolino said. “It’s your right foot, so think about a right-handed hitter standing on the box. Your back foot, how it’s going to rotate and pivot. Same with throwing. So as he throws, a little bit sore, which didn’t lend itself well to taking swings in a big league game. So we will be very conservative there.
“I think if it’s Sept. 20 and we’re playing for the pennant, knowing Westy he’s probably gonna be on the field. But I just think with the situation we’re in, this is probably the right thing to do for our player.”
Young lasted 12 starts before becoming the 28th different Oriole to go on the IL. He had a nice run.
The injury occurred last night when Young was covering first base on a ground ball to Coby Mayo. He recorded the out and left after 5 1/3 innings in a 7-2 loss to the Astros.
Young underwent an MRI today and Mansolino said, “My guess is we’re not going to see him anytime soon.”
Kyle Bradish will be reinstated from the 60-day IL early next week for the Red Sox series. In the meantime, the Orioles can carry an extra reliever.
Samuel Basallo is out of tonight’s lineup after taking a physical earlier today and signing his eight-year contract extension.
“He’s tired right now,” Mansolino said. “He’s been going through a pretty extensive physical today. That’s why he’s not in there today. Just trying to take care of him, it’s been a long day for him.
“He’s tired. I know there’s a lot of excitement. This is a really big deal for a lot of people.”
Jeremiah Jackson is in right field, Dylan Beavers is in left and Luis Vázquez is the third baseman. Coby Mayo stays at first base.
Beavers hit his first major league home run last night. He became the sixth Orioles player to homer in his first at-bat in Baltimore, joining Jeff Fiorentino, Javy López, Luis Polonia, Mike Pagliarulo and Ken Gerhart. Beavers, Fiorentino and Gerhart hit their first major league homers.
Beavers also is the seventh Oriole to reach base at least 10 times in his first five career games, joining Ryan Mountcastle (2020), Howie Clark (2002), Damon Buford (1993), Glenn Gulliver (1982) and Willie Tasby (1958).
Left-hander Cade Povich is tonight’s starter, making his 17th appearance this season. He has a 4.98 ERA and 1.439 WHIP with 90 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings.
Povich’s last outing came in Houston, where he allowed three runs and struck out 10 in five innings while working in bulk relief. He has a 6.05 ERA and 1.656 WHIP in nine home games and a 3.86 ERA and 1.210 WHIP in seven road games.
Carlos Correa is 4-for-8 with a home run against Povich.
Gunnar Henderson extended his on-base streak last night to 13 games with a single in the first inning.
Henderson is one RBI shy of 250. He can become the sixth Oriole to reach the milestone before his 25th birthday. Eddie Murray is the youngest at 23 years and 167 days in 1979.
Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. has made 11 starts and registered a 6.90 ERA and 1.737 WHIP. He averages 5.9 walks and 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
McCullers hadn’t pitched in the majors since the 2022 World Series before making his season debut on May 4. He went on the injured list July 20 with a finger blister and is returning tonight.
McCullers is 3-0 with a 2.90 ERA in seven career games against the Orioles. He’s made five starts.
For the Orioles
Jackson Holliday 2B
Jeremiah Jackson RF
Gunnar Henderson SS
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Colton Cowser CF
Coby Mayo 1B
Dylan Beavers LF
Luis Vázquez 3B
Alex Jackson C
Cade Povich LHP
For the Astros
Jeremy Peña SS
Carlos Correa 3B
Jose Altuve DH
Christian Walker 1B
Yainer Díaz C
Ramón Urías 2B
Mauricio Dubón LF
Cam Smith RF
Chas McCormick CF
Lance McCullers Jr. RHP
