The Orioles optioned Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Mayo probably wasn't going to make the Opening Day roster no matter how well he played this spring, but he didn't help himself by slashing .190/.239/.262 with a 13:2 K:BB in 46 plate appearances. The top prospect will receive everyday reps back at Norfolk while waiting for an opportunity at the big-league level.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Expected to be fine after HBP
Rotowire
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that Mayo is expected to be fine after being lifted from Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox after being hit on the right hand by a pitch, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The team will re-evaluate Mayo's hand Tuesday just to be safe, but it doesn't sound like he will miss much, if any, time. Mayo is likely to begin the 2025 season at Triple-A Norfolk.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Leaves game after HBP on hand
Rotowire
Mayo was removed from Monday's Grapefruit League game versus the Red Sox in the sixth inning after being hit on the right hand/wrist by a pitch, Jacob Calvin Meyer of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Mayo was struck by a 96 mile-per-hour sinker. The Orioles will likely send him in for testing and should offer an update on Mayo's condition once the results are in.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Vote of confidence from GM
Rotowire
General manager Mike Elias said Mayo is poised to be a "huge contributor" for the Orioles this year and will get "a strong look and every opportunity" this spring, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Of course, there's not a clear spot for Mayo to play, but at least Elias said all the right things about the young corner infielder who has nothing left to prove offensively at Triple-A but who struggled mightily in a brief cup of coffee in the majors last season. Mayo said he learned a lot about how competitive it is at the highest level and he's looking to prove he belongs this year. "I think an opportunity will present itself if you can show out and if I can do what I can do," Mayo said. He'll be playing third and first base this spring, but Mayo plans on putting in as much time as possible to prove he can stick at third base. Two productive veterans in Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O'Hearn are expected to play first base and designated hitter, respectively, and if Jackson Holliday earns the second-base job, Jordan Westburg will play third base, leaving Mayo out of a spot. However, Mayo is the next man up in several scenarios.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Sitting again
Rotowire
Mayo is not in Saturday's lineup against the Tigers.
Mayo looked to be gaining a hold on a regular role in the Orioles' lineup with consecutive starts Monday and Tuesday. However, he's now sat three games in a row -- all against right-handed starters. Emmanuel Rivera will take over at third base.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Riding pine Friday
Rotowire
Mayo is not in Friday's lineup against the Tigers.
The righty-hitting Mayo started two of the past three games (all against righties), but he'll head to the bench Friday with righty Beau Brieske working as the opener and lefty Brant Hurter expected to come in as the primary pitcher. Emmanuel Rivera draws the start at third base, batting eighth. Mayo is hitting .133 with a walk and six strikeouts in 15 at-bats since being a September call-up.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Back on bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Mayo is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's game in Boston.
Mayo had made two straight starts after starting just one of the previous six contests. He's back on the bench for Wednesday's series finale, with Emmanuel Rivera drawing the start at third base for the Orioles.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Rejoining big club Sunday
Rotowire
The Orioles are expected to recall Mayo from Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
With rosters set to expand Sunday, Mayo will return to the majors for the stretch run, though he won't be assured everyday playing time. Widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball, Mayo has put together a big year at Triple-A with 22 homers and a .943 OPS in 87 games for Norfolk. His 1-for-17 showing during his first cup of coffee in the big leagues should not dampen enthusiasm long term in dynasty leagues.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Optioned back to minors
Rotowire
The Orioles optioned Mayo to Triple-A Norfolk on Thursday.
Mayo picked up his first major-league hit in Wednesday's win over the Nationals, but the young infielder went just 1-for-17 with 10 strikeouts in his first stint in the big leagues and had fallen behind Ramon Urias on the depth chart at third base. The 22-year-old's dynasty league outlook remains unchanged by the demotion, but Mayo shouldn't be counted on to deliver much value in redraft leagues the rest of the way.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Not starting Thursday
Rotowire
Mayo isn't in the Orioles' lineup for Thursday's game against Toronto.
Mayo has struck out in eight of his first 13 major-league at-bats, and he is still searching for his first career hit after five games in the big leagues. He'll get a day to regroup Thursday while Ramon Urias starts at the hot corner and bats ninth.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Taking seat Tuesday
Rotowire
Mayo is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game in Toronto.
Mayo started the Orioles' first three contests following his promotion, going 0-for-9 with a 5:2 K:BB. He'll begin this one on the bench as Ramon Urias gets the start at third base.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Mastering Triple-A
Rotowire
Mayo is slashing .319/.424/.639 with six home runs and a 17.6 percent strikeout rate in 19 games since returning to action for Triple-A Norfolk.
A top-five prospect in dynasty leagues at this point, Mayo missed a month early in the year with a rib injury, but he has been even better at the plate since returning than he was before the injury. The 22-year-old corner infielder had a 27.6 percent strikeout rate when he was placed on the injured list in the middle of May, and the recent decrease in strikeouts suggests he has essentially mastered Triple-A pitching. The Orioles may opt to keep Mayo in the minors until at least late August so that he is eligible for the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 2025, but if he were to get a promotion before then, he would be a priority add in the majority of formats.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Lands on IL with fractured rib
Rotowire
Mayo was placed on Triple-A Norfolk's 7-day injured list Friday due to a fractured rib, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Mayo was removed from Thursday's game against Lehigh Valley after he collided with the dugout railing chasing a pop-up in foul territory. X-rays after the game revealed that Mayo suffered a fractured rib, and the 22-year-old is set to be sidelined for several weeks. Before the injury, he was slashing .291/.359/.605 with 11 doubles, 13 home runs and 37 RBI over 192 plate appearances at Triple-A.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Suffers injury after collision
Rotowire
Mayo exited Thursday's game with Triple-A Norfolk after colliding with the third-base dugout, Rich Dubroff of Baltimorebaseball.com reports.
There aren't many details available about the incident, but Mayo's removal was termed as a precaution. Assuming he can make a quick return, Mayo could be nearing a promotion to the majors as he's posted an impressive .282/.353/.594 line across 190 plate appearances with Norfolk.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Sent to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Orioles reassigned Mayo to minor-league camp Friday, Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Mayo slashed .326/.426/.544 with one home run and seven doubles this spring, but the competition for roster spots in Baltimore is stiff and he ultimately finds himself on the outside looking in. The 22-year-old should debut with the big club at some point in 2024.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Will focus on third base in camp
Rotowire
Mayo will get most of his reps in big-league camp at third base, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
Mayo will also see time at first base and could work out in right field as well. The Orioles believe third base gives Mayo the quickest path to the majors, especially with Gunnar Henderson (oblique) limited to start the spring. That said, Mayo could require a little more time at Triple-A Norfolk before contending for a major-league spot. He slashed .267/.393/.512 with Norfolk over 62 contests after a midseason promotion in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: In control at Double-A
Rotowire
Mayo is hitting .281 with a .400 OBP and seven home runs in 49 games for Double-A Bowie.
The 21-year-old infielder has been the sixth-best hitter (149 wRC+) in the Eastern League and is one of the 10 youngest hitters on the circuit. Baltimore is overflowing with talented young position players in the majors and upper minors, so Mayo may not get a shot as soon as he's ready, either later this season or sometime next season. However, he looks like a future middle-of-the-order run producer capable of playing either corner-infield spot in addition to designated hitter.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Rehabbing in FCL
Rotowire
Mayo (back) is set to begin a rehab assignment with the Orioles' Florida Complex League team this week, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Mayo has dealt with back spasms throughout July, but he's progressed enough to return to game action. He's expected to need a few FCL games before returning to Double-A Bowie.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Battling back spasms
Rotowire
Mayo left Friday's Double-A Bowie game due to back spasms, Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Mayo had only just joined Bowie on Monday, having hit .250/.326/.479 with 13 homers in 63 games for High-A Aberdeen to open the year. Whether or not the back issue represents anything more than a minor setback for the 20-year-old remains to be seen.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Coby Mayo: Two-homer day in High-A
Rotowire
Mayo went 3-for-5 with a pair of homers, four RBI and three runs Tuesday for High-A Aberdeen.
This just goes to show you how much small sample sizes can skew results early in the season, as Mayo came into Tuesday's game hitting .232/.313/.429 and exited it at .262/.333/.541. Mayo looked good while making his pro debut last year, and it seems like he's adjusting well to a higher level of play. There's no need for the Orioles to rush the 20-year-old third baseman through the organization, so it's likely that he'll spend much of the 2022 campaign at High-A.
