The Orioles optioned infield prospect Coby Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday to make room for an additional outfield bat.
The promotion of outfielder Daniel Johnson to replace Mayo came as a surprise; it appeared as though removing Mayo from the active roster would usher in the return of one of the Orioles’ three injured infielders. Instead, with Cedric Mullins nursing a sore neck after a collision in the outfield Thursday, Johnson received the call.
Mullins, though, passed pregame testing and avoided an injured list stint. He ran, hit and fielded balls. He was deemed healthy enough to be in the starting lineup against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
Infielders Ramón Urías, Ryan Mountcastle and Jordan Westburg are all on rehab assignments with the Tides. Urías seems to be the likeliest option to return first when there is an opening. He hit a home run Friday. Urías is recovering from a sprained ankle, and manager Brandon Hyde indicated he could be ready before Westburg (broken hand) because Urías missed fewer games.
Mayo didn’t receive consistent playing time in his second stint with the Orioles. As a result, the 22-year-old struggled to find his rhythm in the major leagues. Mayo, who played third base and first for Baltimore, recorded four hits in 41 at-bats. Despite being optioned Saturday, his postseason eligibility remains in case of need for the wild card round and beyond.
Mayo, who received the Orioles’ minor league player of the year award, excelled for Norfolk. He posted a .293 average with a .943 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. He will maintain his rookie eligibility for next year, as well.
“It’s tough to evaluate young players, especially with a short sample, and especially so young,” Hyde said. “Coby didn’t have that many at-bats. It was nice to see him get his feet wet. I thought he played great at first base last night. That looks more comfortable. So I thought there were some positives.”
Johnson, a left-handed hitter, gives additional outfield depth. Hyde said Mullins was unavailable Friday after he and Austin Slater collided on dives in the right-center gap, but Mullins made positive strides ahead of Saturday’s game. Still, Johnson has performed well for Norfolk this season, carrying a .259 average and .768 OPS.
He hasn’t played in the majors since 2021 with Cleveland. The Orioles signed him to a minor league contract last offseason.
The return of Urías or Westburg will take time. Their presence, though, would provide a boost for an offense that has struggled for much of the second half before breaking out with five homers Friday. Westburg, who last played July 31, is hitting .269 with an .815 OPS. Urías is batting .252 with a .754 OPS.
Mountcastle will likely require more time. He’s recovering from a sprained left wrist and made his first appearance in a game Friday.
Hyde said the Orioles are evaluating all three of those players to determine when they can return.
