The Orioles introduced that they’ve chosen the contract of infielder Luis Vázquez. He’ll take the lively roster spot of infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo, who has been positioned on the 10-day injured checklist attributable to left elbow irritation, retroactive to June seventh. The 40-man roster depend climbs from 38 to 39. The O’s added that right-hander Matt Bowman, who was lately designated for project, has cleared waivers and accepted an outright project to Triple-A Norfolk.
Vazquez, 25, was acquired from the Cubs in a minor commerce again in January. The infielder was a 14th-round decide by Chicago again in 2017 however made it to the majors for the primary time simply final 12 months with an 11-game stint on the North Aspect. Vazquez break up time between shortstop, third base, and second base throughout his transient call-up and seemed competent in any respect three of these positions defensively, however hit simply .083 with six strikeouts in 14 plate appearances throughout that transient call-up to the majors. Apart from that, he spent the complete 12 months at Triple-A Iowa, the place he hit a stable however unspectacular .263/.347/.432 in 64 video games, which when it comes to wRC+ sat proper round league common with a determine of 98.
In the course of the offseason, the Cubs dedicated to an entire overhaul of their third base and bench mixes. Apart from selling prime prospect Matt Shaw, they introduced in Jon Berti, Vidal Brujan, and Justin Turner to spherical out the bench combine whereas parting methods with not solely beginning third baseman Isaac Paredes but in addition longtime bench items like Patrick Knowledge, Nick Madrigal, and David Bote. Vazquez discovered himself let go as a part of that purge and was designated for project to make room for the addition of Berti to the 40-man roster, which in the end facilitated his commerce to the Orioles group. The infielder didn’t final lengthy on the Orioles’ personal 40-man roster and was outrighted to the minors only a week after the membership acquired him. He acquired some consideration for an Opening Day roster spot however in the end started the season at Triple-A Norfolk, the place he’s slashed .280/.345/.447 with a 114 wRC+ in 37 video games this 12 months.
Vazquez is now set to take over for Mateo on the Orioles’ bench. Mateo’s coping with discomfort in his surgically repaired elbow after present process Tommy John surgical procedure final 12 months, so whereas MLB.com notes that Mateo underwent an MRI that exposed no structural harm it’s hardly a shock that Baltimore has determined to be cautious with their utility man. Mateo is presently within the midst of his worst season as an Oriole with a 44 wRC+ and a 35.4% strikeout charge, so it’s attainable that the break day might give him a while to reset as effectively. The quickly to be 30-year-old stays a helpful bench piece regardless of his paltry offense this 12 months because of his elite baserunning (14 steals in 15 makes an attempt this 12 months as a part-time participant) and his versatility to deal with just about each spot on the diamond as wanted. Vazquez, Ramon Urias, and Dylan Carlson will all be tasked with serving to to select up the slack whereas Mateo is on the shelf.
As for Bowman, the right-hander made his debut again in 2016 and spent a couple of years as a stable center reliever for the Reds and Cardinals earlier than falling off the map for a couple of years attributable to accidents. He resurfaced in 2023 and has bounced between the Yankees, Twins, Diamondbacks, Mariners, and Orioles over the previous three years whereas placing collectively a 4.79 ERA and 4.91 FIP in 56 1/3 innings. He’ll now head to Triple-A to function non-roster aid depth for Baltimore going ahead.
