How Alexander's knee injury left Orioles with a career outfielder at third base

ANAHEIM -- A pair of injuries to Orioles infielders resulted in Leody Taveras playing third base for five innings during Monday night’s series-opening 6-1 win.

You read that correctly: Taveras, a seven-year MLB veteran who has exclusively played outfield across the Majors, Minors and winter ball, took over at the hot corner in the third inning.

Here’s how it got to that point.

Blaze Alexander started at third, looking to continue his recent tear after an impressive weekend at Dodger Stadium. But the 27-year-old fouled a ball off his leg in the second inning -- a plate appearance that resulted in a swinging strikeout -- and exited due to right knee discomfort.

Meanwhile, Jackson Holliday was out of the lineup for the second straight day because of groin tightness. If the 22-year-old had been available, he could have replaced Alexander at third.

Coby Mayo has started 45 games at third this season, but the 24-year-old was at designated hitter. So, if Baltimore moved him to third, it would have lost its DH spot much too early.

Luis Vázquez was at the ballpark on the O’s taxi squad. But he wasn’t activated, as the club instead selected the contract of Chadwick Tromp to give it three catchers on the 26-man roster.

That left three available players on the bench -- catcher Samuel Basallo, Tromp and Taveras.

Manager Craig Albernaz picked Taveras as his best choice to take over at third. And naturally, the ball immediately found the 27-year-old, who made a nice play on a ground ball off the bat of Jose Siri and threw to first for the first out of the bottom of the third.

While Taveras stepped up and handled the assignment well -- playing there without any issues before moving to center when Mayo shifted from DH to third at the start of the eighth -- credit must also be given to Baltimore infield coach Miguel Cairo. Each time the O’s were on defense, Cairo moved to a seat in front of the railing of the first-base dugout and relayed instructions to Taveras.

As an outfielder, Taveras doesn’t need to know infield positioning for various game situations based on who is hitting, how many baserunners are on, etc. But Cairo ensured Taveras was in the right spots at the right times.

The Orioles will hope Alexander’s ailment isn’t too serious. He is hitting .310 with an .804 OPS in 67 games this season and is batting .413 (19-for-46) in June.

But Baltimore’s bats stayed hot without him. Taylor Ward hit a leadoff homer in his first game against his former team and Mayo clubbed a three-run home run in the fourth to back an eight-inning gem from right-hander Kyle Bradish.

Taveras also contributed some offense on his surprising night, hitting a double in the sixth and knocking a single in the eighth.