O's promote Herrera, Stewart as trades settle

The Orioles made a flurry of roster moves prior to Tuesday’s series opener against the Mets in response to this week’s trades, promoting Dilson Herrera and DJ Stewart from their alternate training site in Bowie, Md.

Herrera takes the spot of Miguel Castro, who was traded to the Mets on Monday, but he was summoned as depth for Hanser Alberto, who sustained a minor knee injury trying to beat out a bunt single in Monday’s 5-4 win over the Blue Jays. Manager Brandon Hyde said on Tuesday that Alberto is considered day to day but could miss the entirety of the two-game series against New York.

Alberto is hitting .321 with a .792 OPS and 45 hits, tied for the AL lead with the Angels’ David Fletcher and White Sox José Abreu. He leads the Orioles with 24 runs scored.

“He jammed it into the base and felt some knee soreness,” Hyde said. “He does feel better today, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to play this series.”

The Orioles also designated for assignment outfielder Mason Williams to clear space for Stewart on the active roster.

A top Mets prospect earlier last decade, Herrera debuted at age 20 for New York in 2014, appearing in 49 games over the next two seasons. He was packaged in the '16 deal with Cincinnati for Jay Bruce, but he didn’t reach the Majors again until two years later. He hit .184 with five homers for the Reds in '18, spent all of '19 back in the Mets' farm system and signed a Minor League deal with the Orioles this past offseason.

Now 26, Herrera profiles as right-handed-hitting bench option for an Orioles team that’s seen its offense sag in recent weeks. He is a natural second baseman who can play all four corner spots, and he hit 24 homers for the Mets’ Triple-A Syracuse affiliate last season.

The Orioles’ Opening Day left fielder, Stewart went hitless in 14 at-bats to start the season, though he did draw six walks. He also profiles as a bench option, with No. 5 prospect Ryan Mountcastle getting priority reps in left field and Dwight Smith Jr. back at the alternate training site.

Williams hit .182 without a homer in seven games after being recalled to help defensively with injured center fielder Austin Hays on the shelf.

"This was more about getting DJ here than anything else," Hyde said. "DJ has been swinging the bat very well at our secondary site. He's another young player we need to find out more about."

From the trainer's room
The Orioles are hopeful about getting Hays back within the next two weeks, Hyde said, as the center fielder progresses from a small rib fracture. Hays, who has been sidelined since Aug. 14, will resume baseball activity at the club’s alternate training site this week, per Hyde.

Chris Davis is still a way off. Sidelined since Aug. 21 with tendinitis in his left knee, Davis has not begun baseball activity, and Hyde did not say when he would. Both Hyde and executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias are on record saying that the injury won’t end Davis’ season, despite his .122 average (without a homer) this year.

Charity news
The Orioles this week launched the Player’s Favorite Things basket auction to benefit Living Classrooms. Fans have the opportunity to bid on collections of items from their favorite players, including Shawn Armstrong, Paul Fry, Travis Lakins Sr., Rio Ruiz, Chance Sisco and Pat Valaika, as well as Hyde.

Fans can bid at Orioles.com/auction through 10 p.m. ET on Sept. 7. Photos and details about each basket can be found at Orioles.com/BirdlandInsider.

Living Classrooms has been working to disrupt the cycle of poverty and help the community become safer, stronger and healthier since 1985.