With Mateo to miss 'some time,' O's look to Norby for spark

MIAMI -- Baltimore infielder Jorge Mateo, who exited the series opener in Miami on Tuesday with a left elbow injury, will be out for “some time,” manager Brandon Hyde announced following the Orioles’ 6-3 loss on Wednesday night. Mateo was in the O's clubhouse at loanDepot park on Thursday morning with a brace immobilizing his left arm.

“It's really, really unfortunate, and [we] feel terrible for him,” Hyde said Wednesday. “We're gonna miss him.”

Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) Connor Norby, who joined the team in Miami on Wednesday as part of the taxi squad, was recalled Thursday after the club placed Mateo on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to Wednesday, with a left elbow subluxation.

Mateo’s injury, which he suffered after getting tangled up with Gunnar Henderson in the third inning on Tuesday, was diagnosed as a left elbow transient partial dislocation (aka subluxation) following MRI scans on Wednesday. In layman’s terms, this means the elbow was partially dislocated, then corrected itself. It’s fairly uncommon in elbow dislocations, but not unheard of.

Under the best circumstances -- and in the most simple of cases -- an elbow dislocation requires immobilization of the joint (in a sling or splint) for one to three weeks, followed by physical therapy and rehab, barring any complications (which can include ligament or tendon sprains and nerve damage). Some dislocations can require surgery, though there is no reason to think that this will be needed in Mateo’s case.

Mateo will continue to undergo tests and seek second opinions as the team returns to Baltimore on Friday.

"It's gonna be a while right now," Hyde said on Thursday. "It's so swollen and sore that it's gonna take some time trying to get the swelling out, and then he's gonna get some second opinions, and we're gonna have some of the doctors take a look at it, but it's going to be a significant amount of time."

Mateo has been a huge part of Baltimore’s season. One of the more veteran members of the Orioles’ infield, Mateo has made 52 starts at second base this season while also making spot starts at shortstop (three) and center field (two) to give Baltimore’s everyday players a respite.

“[Losing him,] it’s huge. [Jorge’s] a great player,” Colton Cowser said. “And not only a great player, just a great human being. I'm not really sure what extent of injury it is, but, whatever it is, I have all the faith in the world that he's going to bounce back.”

With Mateo out, the O’s are turning to Norby to fill the void in the lineup. Norby made his Major League debut on June 3 and started four games (all at second base) for the Orioles before he was optioned on June 11. In his short MLB stint, he went 3-for-14, including his first big league homer.

At Triple-A Norfolk this season, Norby has made 30 starts at second base with 25 starts in left field and 19 in right, slashing .297/.389/.519 with 16 homers. Though Norby is known more for his bat than his athleticism on the field, the O’s are hoping he can help kickstart a sluggish offense. (Baltimore has lost eight of its past 11 games, including three in a row entering Thursday’s finale.)

“He's gonna get some regular playing time,” Hyde said Wednesday. “He’ll be in there tomorrow, and hopefully he can give us a little spark.”