Already without Chris Davis and Hyun Soo Kim in their series-opening loss to the New York Yankees, the Orioles were concerned late Monday about the status of another starting player.
Matt Wieters underwent an X-ray after being hit by a 94 mph Ivan Nova fastball on his right foot in the first inning of the 2-1 defeat. The 2016 All-Star catcher stayed in the game and went 0-for-3, but manager Buck Showalter expressed concern after the game.
“Just sore, real sore,” Showalter told reporters at Yankee Stadium. “I’m waiting with a little anxiety on what’s going to show, especially this X-ray here.”
The Orioles lost shortstop J.J. Hardy for seven weeks earlier this season because of a broken foot, but the veteran infielder fouled a ball off his left foot in that instance.
Though Wieters has struggled with a .128 average in July, backup catcher Caleb Joseph is hitting just .167 without a home run or RBI in 84 plate appearances this season. An extended absence from Wieters would be a hit to a Baltimore offense that is scuffling in July after a red-hot month of June.
In 258 plate appearances in 2016, Wieters is hitting .250 with nine homers, 38 RBIs, and a .709 on-base plus slugging percentage. The 30-year-old was named to his fourth All-Star Game earlier this month.
