Galvis dealing with sore left adductor/groin
Orioles add Valaika for middle-infield depth, option OF McKenna
Freddy Galvis has been the Orioles' most durable player in the early going, starting each of their 22 games at shortstop, including Monday's 4-2 win over the Yankees. But that streak is nearing its conclusion.
Galvis was removed with left adductor/groin soreness before the top of the third inning Monday, a half-inning after connecting for an RBI double off Yankees starter Deivi García. Galvis did not show signs of an injury on his standup double, which extended the O's early lead to 2-0. But he signaled to Baltimore's dugout during infield warmups prior to the top of the third, before walking off the field with manager Brandon Hyde and head trainer Brian Ebel.
Hyde downplayed the severity of the injury after the game, but the Orioles did recall Pat Valaika from their alternate training site in Bowie, Md., on Tuesday to provide short-term infield coverage. Rookie outfielder Ryan McKenna was optioned in a corresponding move.
“He’s day to day right now,” Hyde said. “It just kind of tightened up on him a little bit. It feels a lot better now, so its fortunate for us. He’s just going to be day to day.”
Ramón Urías moved from second base to short to replace Galvis; he and Valaika now profile as the Orioles’ primary depth at the position. They chose Valaika over Richie Martin, who remains on the 40-man roster and at the alternate training site. In 2020, Valaika hit .277 with eight homers in 52 games in a utility role, making 24 appearances (15 starts) at shortstop.
Signed to a one-year, $1.5 million free-agent contract on Jan. 26, Galvis is hitting .264 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs and six RBIs. He's also rated as an above-average defender, registering one Outs Above Average, per Statcast.