11:21am: The team has now announced that Santander is on the 10-day injured list. McKenna has indeed been recalled to take his spot on the 26-man roster.
10:50am: Orioles slugger Anthony Santander will miss the next two to four weeks of action after sustaining a sprained ankle, manager Brandon Hyde announced to reporters this morning (Twitter link via Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com). X-rays and an MRI both confirmed that there is no fracture in Santander’s ankle. A corresponding roster move is in the works, per Hyde. Santander injured the ankle last night when lunging back to first base on a pickoff attempt (video link).
Santander, 26, emerged as one of the Orioles’ best hitters from 2019-20 and was the subject of some trade inquiries over the winter. However, the O’s control him all the way through 2024 and clearly weren’t motivated to make a move based on any of those talks.
The switch-hitting Santander is out to a slow start in 2021, hitting just .196/.230/.321 in 62 plate appearances after missing some time late in Spring Training with an oblique issue. But from 2019-20, Santander delivered a .261/.302/.505 batting line with 31 dingers, 33 doubles and a pair of triples in 570 trips to the plate. A middling 5.1 percent walk rate in that time limits his on-base upside, but Santander also struck out in just 15.6 percent of his plate appearances last season.
Baltimore just welcomed outfielder Austin Hays back from the injured list yesterday, so he’ll effectively be replacing Santander in the everyday lineup moving forward. Hays and hot-hitting Cedric Mullins are both options at any of the three outfield spots, while Ryan Mountcastle and DJ Stewart can work in the corners and also mix in some at-bats as the designated hitter. Ryan McKenna, who was optioned yesterday after Hays was activated, could also quickly be brought back and added into the equation if the Orioles want to replenish some outfield depth.
They’ll be lucky if it’s that short an amount of time.
Agreed… It looked terrible and if he is only out four weeks, that would be a nice prize…
With the OF depth they have they should be just fine.
HUGE blow to the O’s playoff chances…
I highly doubt my O’s are ready for the playoffs. The roster is too young and lacks enough top-tier talent to compete in the AL East. However, you are aware the O’s have a better record by a half game over the Cubs right now and aren’t in last place in their division, right?
Dang, that joke soared by you like Joe Kelly’s fastball soars behind Astros hitters.
Literally, I have no idea how some people can be this stupid…
he got it, just didn’t appreciate it. Hence, the dig at the cubs.
Hi 🙂
Rob Refsnyder waiting for phone to ring.
The Orioles must not be as high on Yusniel Diaz as they were in 2018. Here is a free spot in RF to get him a taste of big league action.
They are just as high on him, despite a slow start in the organization. Not ready just yet but we may see him later this summer.
Well, I’m not sure how high this current regime is on Diaz. He didn’t acquire Diaz. I thought Zach Pop (also from Machado deal) was an absolute lock to make the 40 man. But Elias left him off and picked up 2 rule 5 arms instead.
He may not be extremely high on Diaz. The star has dimmed on him a bit. Still has a shot to be a starting ML Of’er—I’m just not sure he’s better than the crop of guys up here right now. Sites like FG have dropped Diaz fairly considerably in their rankings FWIW. All the way down to a 40 FV and our #19 prospect.
Elias likes Diaz a lot, on both sides of the ball, and has been emphatic about that. He’s progressed perhaps slower than some of the others but that shouldn’t be a knock on him.) As for Pop, I think he was allowed to be available because he hadn’t pitched in a very long time due to TJ surgery; letting him go was more a gambit due to circumstance than what Elias a d Co. thought of him.
I’ve heard Elias say good things about Diaz. Hopefully not just blowing smoke there though. GM’s typically don’t come out and trash prospects. I’m hopeful he’s a productive starter at some point soon.
But OF is a strength right now. I understand Pop but they chose 2 rule 5 guys instead. That’s telling. Pop would’ve at least been optionable for us this year. I think his upside is stronger than Sceroler and Wells. But he’s not an Elias acquisition so he may think of him differently.
They want Diaz to get AB’s at AAA Norfolk first. He should be up soon
AAA doesn’t start until May. MLB ABs are better than Alt Site ABs.
That is correct. And if Santander performs well (a bigger if these days) he could be flipped and this clear room in the crowded OF for Diaz.
Think you’re onto something here. He has not played well at all since the trade from LA. He shows a lack of effort and grit.
He’s already made his money…. guess $18M was enough for him.
Too bad. The Orioles really needed him to be an asset for them.
Quite incorrect. Here’s a quote from Elias re Diaz: “He’s got a great work ethic, the attitude and energy have been really good every day.”
Perhaps you can share your source?
Agree, I believe McKenna is a little better as it stands right now. Diaz is never really mentioned in regards to OF depth.
Stewart is also playing well right now. McKenna is a better option for 4th outfielder than Diaz.
The O’s are slowly getting a decent team and could actually contend in a year or two.