ANAHEIM -- A pair of injuries to Orioles infielders resulted in Leody Taveras playing third base during Monday night’s series opener at Angel Stadium.
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.
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.
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.