'Exciting': Mateo making most of shot in loss

Since joining the Orioles on Aug. 5, Jorge Mateo has made a big impact on the offense. He’s reached base safely in 19 of his 20 starts since being clamed off of waivers.

In Wednesday’s 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, Mateo recorded one of Baltimore’s two extra-base hits. He smacked his 11th double of the season to kick off the sixth inning and scored after Austin Wynns hit a line drive to right field, bringing the O’s within one run.

“I’m happy with how we came back and scored a run off [reliever Tayler] Saucedo,” said manager Brandon Hyde of the sixth inning. “Losing is never easy and we came up a run short.”

The Orioles were able to tie the game in the seventh, thanks to an RBI double from Trey Mancini. Mateo got on base for a second time, working a six-pitch walk in the eighth inning, but he was erased when Jahmai Jones grounded into an inning-ending double play. Toronto then plated the go-ahead run in the bottom half of the frame.

Before joining the Orioles, Mateo played the first 79 games of his career as a member of the Padres in 2020-21. He’s still young, but he’s found his swing in Baltimore. After Wednesday’s rubber match, Mateo was slashing .325/.366/.481 as an Oriole.

Mateo sat idle for three games between Aug. 25-27 due to an injury to his left hip and lower back. Though he is back to starting, he is still feeling some minor aches and pains.

“He's not running at 100 percent either,” said Hyde. “But his 75 percent is well above most people's 100 percent.”

Hyde has seen potential in the young infielder, trying to find where he best fits around the diamond. In the series finale, Mateo started at shortstop and moved over to second base in the eighth inning. That type of versatility makes him an asset moving forward.

“He's got really quick hands,” said Hyde, when asked what excites him the most about Mateo. “He's got big-time tools.”

Wednesday marked Mateo’s 101st career game in the Major Leagues. Besides the three games he sat out due to injury, the rookie has been in all but two starting lineups for the Orioles. That type of consistency is exactly what Hyde classified as a chance to prove himself.

The everyday play has worked so far for Mateo. In 57 games with the Padres, he batted just .207 with only nine starts. The numbers speak for themselves, even despite the small sample size.

“He's getting an opportunity to play every day,” said Hyde. “ He hasn't had one in the big leagues and he's got an opportunity right now. He’s been an exciting player to watch.”