Luis

Vazquez

Vázquez was hit by a pitch in the thumb, and while he was initially able to stay in the game, he was removed for a pinch-runner shortly after. The 26-year-old is attempting to win a utility spot with Baltimore to open 2026, but obviously the results of his imaging will play a major factor in his ability to do so.

Vázquez is sticking around as organizational depth at Triple-A Norfolk after passing through waivers unclaimed earlier this week. The 26-year-old infielder batted .160 (8-for-50) in 32 games for the Orioles last season. He’ll compete for a bench role in spring training.

León was claimed off waivers earlier this month from the Astros and simply gets caught up in a roster crunch with Baltimore needing to guard a couple prospects from next month’s Rule 5 Draft. Vázquez batted .160 (8-for-50) in 32 games for the Orioles this past season in a reserve infielder role.

It’s highly unusual for a pre-arbitration player to sign a deal like this with a club, but the move appears to be geared towards giving Vázquez some additional financial compensation to decrease the chances that he’s claimed off waivers by another club if Baltimore opts to jettison him from their 40-man roster this offseason. The 26-year-old batted .160 (8-for-50) in 32 games for the Orioles this past season in a reserve infielder role.

Vázquez, 25, has hit .160/.208/.240 in 53 plate appearances in 32 games as a utilityman for the Orioles this season. He’ll probably be removed from the 40-man roster at year’s end.

After breaking up Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s no-hit bid in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, and jump-starting an eventual comeback victory, Holliday takes a seat with lefty Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber for Los Angeles in this one. It’ll be rookie Luis Vázquez getting an opportunity at the keystone in this one.

Holliday receives his first off day since July 29. Colton Cowser moves up to the leadoff spot with Luis Vázquez getting an opportunity at the keystone.

Mateo last played for the Orioles on June 6, when he was shut down because of soreness in his surgically repaired elbow. He then suffered a bad hamstring strain on June 29 while rehabbing at Norfolk, but it looks like he will be back for the final month of the season. He’ll probably replace Luis Vázquez once the Orioles deem him ready.

Westburg will get the night off after exiting Monday’s series opener with right ankle discomfort. Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino told reporters afterwards that he believes the injury is relatively mild. It certainly seems like Westburg will avoid a trip to the injured list, but that decision will likely come down to how his ankle responds to treatment. It’ll be Luis Vázquez taking over at the keystone in his absence.

Vázquez went 1-for-13 for the Orioles earlier this season and was batting .271/.343/.413 in Triple-A. He’ll serve as a utilityman and probably make occasional starts at second base against tough lefties.