MINNEAPOLIS -- Yet another Orioles catcher has gone down with an injury.
Yohel Pozo exited Tuesday night’s game at Target Field in the third inning, when the 29-year-old backstop was hit in the left hand on a swing by Twins slugger Josh Bell. Pozo was charged with an error for catcher’s interference, as Bell’s bat knocked Pozo’s glove off.
Pozo was checked over by head athletic trainer Scott Barringer and manager Craig Albernaz before departing the contest due to left index finger pain. Carlos Narváez then took over behind the plate.
Baltimore is already without its starting catcher, as Samuel Basallo has been on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation since July 22 (retroactive to July 20). The O’s were also without former catcher Adley Rutschman for a chunk of time, as he was on the IL with left wrist inflammation from July 20 until he got traded to Boston on Aug. 3.
If the Orioles need to make a roster move before Wednesday afternoon’s series finale, Silas Ardoin is already in Minneapolis on the club’s catcher taxi squad. The 25-year-old has never previously been added to the big league roster, and he is hitting .180 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and a .570 OPS in 53 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season.
It’s also worth noting that former O’s catcher Jake Rogers was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday as the corresponding move for Rutschman being reinstated from the IL. Rogers played three games for Baltimore before getting sent to Boston in the Rutschman trade.
Pozo is hitting .300 (3-for-10) with one home run and two RBIs through six games for the Orioles. He was claimed off waivers from the Cardinals on July 23.
Baltimore has already used seven catchers this season, matching a franchise record set in 2025. Basallo, Pozo, Rutschman, Narváez, Rogers, Sam Huff and Chadwick Tromp have all appeared at catcher for the O’s in ‘26.