The Baltimore Orioles are bolstering the depth in their infielder entering Monday’s game with the Chicago White Sox.
On Monday, the Baltimore Orioles announced the promotion of infielder Nick Maton to their active roster ahead of their game against the Chicago White Sox. To make space for Maton, the Orioles designated catcher David Bañuelos for assignment.
This move adds depth to the Orioles’ infield, which has been impacted by Jorge Mateo’s season-ending elbow injury that required surgery last month. The team is also managing injuries to infielders Jordan Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle, with hopes of their return in the near future.
Additionally, the Orioles called up infielder Coby Mayo on Sunday as part of the roster expansion.
Maton has appeared in 181 Major League games, but has played just one for Baltimore this season. He did not make the opening-day roster and spent most of April on the injured list at Triple-A Norfolk. Although he was briefly promoted on June 19, he was designated for assignment five days later. After clearing waivers, he returned to Norfolk, where he has posted a .262/.370/.477/.847 slash line with 16 home runs and 57 RBIs this season.
Maton made his Major League debut with Philadelphia in 2021 and played as a part-time starter for the Detroit Tigers last season. His career numbers include a .208/.306/.361/.667 slash line with 15 home runs and 63 RBIs. He had one game with the Orioles on June 20 against the New York Yankees, but did not get an at-bat.
The Orioles previously selected Bañuelos’ contract on Sunday. A fifth-round pick by the Seattle Mariners in 2017 out of Long Beach State, Bañuelos has had a varied minor league career and joined the Orioles on a minor league deal last December. This is not the first time Baltimore has selected his contract; he was called up on April 16, designated for assignment the following day, then recalled on April 22 and optioned back to Norfolk on April 26. He had one plate appearance on April 16 against Minnesota.
Bañuelos will need to clear waivers again before he can be reassigned to the minors. At Triple-A Norfolk, he has a .225/.360/.352/.712 slash line with two home runs and 11 RBIs.
The Orioles are currently facing the Chicago White Sox through Wednesday as they continue their competitive race with the Yankees in the AL East.
