The Orioles were under the impression Richie Martin would be back on the field shortly after slicing a fingernail on his left hand sliding back into first base during an intrasquad game on Friday. They were surprised this weekend to uncover an issue much more severe.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Sunday that Martin has been diagnosed with a broken bone in his right wrist, likely ending his season. Hyde added on Monday that Martin will undergo surgery Wednesday and be out two to three months.

“It’s a big blow. I feel terrible for Richie,” Hyde said Sunday. “It wasn’t something we were expecting.”

Playing catch in an attempt to test the lacerated nail on Saturday, Martin reported soreness in his right wrist while throwing. An X-ray revealed the fracture late Saturday afternoon, Hyde said. Martin, who hit .208 with six home runs and .581 OPS as Baltimore’s every-other-day shortstop as a rookie last season, was battling for a utility role off the bench this summer.

“We were going out to play catch for a broken fingernail and a cut, and this happened,” Hyde said. “My heart goes out to him. He worked so hard this offseason. He is making huge strides. We were just saying how much he’s improved defensively, and I liked the swing adjustments he’s been making. It was a disappointing evening and talking to him this morning, he’s pretty down about it.”

The competition for several bench jobs was one of the stiffest of Orioles camp this spring, with Martin battling Pat Valaika, Andrew Velazquez, Stevie Wilkerson and several others vying for one or two open spots. Expanded rosters and Martin’s injury could clear the way for all three to make the club, especially given the Orioles’ current lack of outfielders. Velazquez and Valaika both have experience at shortstop, where Martin was expected to be José Iglesias’ primary backup.

“We’re going to look for versatility on our roster,” Hyde said. “Richie was a guy who can play multiple positions, and we have other guys who can do that as well.”

Also from the trainer’s room
• Hyde added on Monday that left-hander Ty Blach will also undergo Tommy John surgery on Wednesday after experiencing repeated elbow discomfort throughout camp. Blach was one of nine pitchers the Orioles were stretching out as a starter this summer; he made five starts for the club in 2019. The recovery process for Tommy John surgery is typically nine to 12 months.

• The prognosis on Sunday was better for right-hander Dillon Tate, the Orioles’ No. 27 prospect per MLB Pipeline. An MRI revealed no structural damage to his right elbow after he was struck with a comebacker in intrasquad competition on Friday. Hyde said Tate is still dealing with soreness and remains day to day.