The Baltimore Orioles are adding depth to their infield entering Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox.
The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they had selected the contract of infielder Nick Maton ahead of Monday’s game against the Chicago White Sox. To accommodate him, the Orioles designated catcher David Bañuelos for assignment.
The acquisition offers the Orioles greater depth in the field as they deal with the aftermath of Jorge Mateo’s season-ending elbow injury. He underwent surgery late last month.
Baltimore is also struggling with injuries to infielders Jordan Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle. The Orioles hope to have both guys back shortly.
Baltimore also called up infielder Coby Mayo when the roster expanded on Sunday.
Maton has played 181 Major League games, but only one with the Orioles in his debut season in Baltimore.
He did not make the Opening Day roster and spent the majority of his first month on the injured list with Triple-A Norfolk. On June 19, the Orioles promoted him, and five days later he was designated for assignment. After clearing waivers, he accepted a return assignment to Norfolk.
With the Tides this season, he hit.262/.370/.477/.847 with 16 home runs and 57 RBI.
He made his Major League debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2021 and was a part-time starter for the Detroit Tigers last season. He has a career slash line of.208/.306/.361/.667, including 15 home runs and 63 RBI.
On June 20, his only game with Baltimore, he faced the New York Yankees but did not bat.
On Sunday, the Orioles signed Bañuelos, who is 27 years old.
He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the fifth round in 2017 out of Long Beach State, and he has since bounced around minor league baseball. Last December, the Orioles signed him to a minor-league contract.
This was hardly the first time Baltimore had chosen his deal. He was chosen on April 16 and scheduled for assignment the following day. The Orioles promoted him on April 22 and optioned him back to Norfolk on April 26.
Bañuelos’ only plate appearance came on April 16 against Minnesota.
He’ll have to clear waivers again before the Orioles can deploy him to the minors.
With the Tides, he slashes.225/.360/.352/.712, with two home runs and eleven RBI.
Baltimore will face the Chicago White Sox through Wednesday as it continues to compete with the Yankees in the AL East.
