One of the few veterans on the Orioles roster with potential value to contending teams is now likely to be sidelined beyond the July 30 trade deadline.
Shortstop Freddy Galvis has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right quadriceps strain suffered while legging out a bunt single in the second inning of Saturday’s 12-4 loss to Toronto in Buffalo. The injury is a substantial blow to a Baltimore infield that was already receiving poor play from second base and third base this season.
“It’s in between a Grade 1 to a Grade 2, so more like a Grade 1-plus, which means it’s going to be between a month to two months,” manager Brandon Hyde said prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Blue Jays. “Hoping for the four-to-six weeks [timetable]. It could be a little bit longer just depending on how the rehab goes [and] how he’s feeling. A significant injury, and a tough day all around yesterday. We’re really going to miss Freddy here for a while.”
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million in late January, Galvis has batted .249 with nine home runs, 12 doubles, 26 runs batted in, and a .720 on-base plus slugging percentage in 274 plate appearances this season. Many had discussed the 31-year-old having some trade value for a competing club needing middle infield depth for the stretch run, but that possibility now appears remote after the injury.
To address their current middle infield situation, the Orioles recalled Domingo Leyba and Ramon Urias from Triple-A Norfolk prior to Sunday’s game. Urias, 27, is no stranger to the major league roster with a .246 average and .714 OPS in 64 plate appearances this season, but the 25-year-old Leyba was claimed off waivers from Arizona in early June and has posted a .307 average and .901 OPS in 600 combined plate appearances at the Triple-A level since 2019. Leyba has batted .149 in 54 career plate appearances in the majors, but the switch-hitter went 0-for-22 for the Diamondbacks earlier this season before being designated for assignment.
With outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander still playing through injuries, the Orioles also recalled outfielder Ryan McKenna from the Tides. Baltimore optioned utility player Stevie Wilkerson and right-handed pitcher Konner Wade to Norfolk to complete its roster shuffle.
