Santander and Mateo chess mates in Orioles clubhouse

Anthony Santander saw the board and an opportunity.

But who would play?

Chess ranks among Santander’s favorite hobbies and the Orioles’ clubhouse is equipped to satisfy it. However, he’s more likely to find teammates gathering at the pool or bumper pool tables. They weren’t inclined to take his cue, as it were, and trade in the rack for a rook.

The next move was to choose a partner.

Jorge Mateo has the most speed on the club and he’s also a fast study. He was introduced to the game a year ago and already developed the same passion for it as Santander.

Rather than receive individual instruction and tutelage on the rules, Mateo figured it out by lurking.  

“I learned just by watching people play it,” he said via interpreter Brandon Quinones.

Media allowed inside the clubhouse during the 50-minute pre-game access period usually will find Santander and Mateo sitting across from each other with the board in front of them. They might grab a plate of food from the kitchen, digging a fork into their food between moves.  

“In reality it’s fun to play and it kind of frees you up a little bit, just because it doesn’t allow you to think about anything else. I’d say I’m still learning a lot but it’s fun to play,” Mateo said.

“We always have that match. We try to play maybe twice a day. And I’ll say right now we’re pretty even.”

The narrowing of the gap between them is impressive considering Mateo’s inexperience. Santander has been playing since he was a kid in Venezuela.

Santander’s father, Roger, introduced him to chess and created another bond between them long before baseball intruded.

“We always played when I wasn’t in school,” Santander said. “I just remembered how the pieces move. When you learn something you don’t forget it. You have to practice to get better.”

That isn’t a problem. The reps are readily available. The board travels with them and it’s always on the same table inside the home clubhouse, with extra chairs if teammates want to watch. Future recruits, perhaps.

“I knew how the pieces moved,” said Santander, who hit his 11th home run last night. “I played a lot back home a long time ago. I saw the chess board, so I wanted to keep playing it, but they didn’t know how to play, so I introduced the game. I’m like, ‘Let’s play, let’s play, let’s play.’ And actually, he’s beaten me a couple times, especially right now in the morning when my head is not straight. But he’s got a good eye.

“We practice every single day and we’re always pushing. We try to play two games before the (Orioles) game, we try to play after the game, too, when we have time.”

Santander is a pending free agent, which could force Mateo to find another partner if he’s still on the club next season. They’ll make the most of their days together.

“He has a lot more (experience) than me,” Mateo said, smiling. “Makes me feel good and it shows me that maybe I could play chess professionally someday.”

Yeah, if that whole baseball thing doesn’t work out.

Mateo must put it on hold while on the seven-day concussion injured list. He isn’t cleared to swing a bat or field ground balls, but he should be able to moves his bishop.

* The Orioles still haven’t listed their starters for Wednesday night and Thursday afternoon in Toronto. Corbin Burnes starts tonight.

Albert Suárez and Kyle Bradish are lined up but they aren’t confirmed, perhaps because the club is waiting to see whether Suárez is needed in relief.

We now circle back to how the bullpen doesn’t have a true long reliever with Suárez and Cole Irvin in the rotation.

Dean Kremer is eligible to return from the injured list Wednesday, but he's expected to go on a brief rehab assignment. He hasn't pitched since May 20 in St. Louis.

Kremer had a light side session yesterday, according to media in Toronto. His right triceps strain has improved. But it's too soon for start him against the Blue Jays.

Bradish lasted only 2 2/3 innings Saturday, allowing five runs and seven hits and walking the last three batters he faced. His velocity was fine and there were no indications that he might be battling a physical issue. Seemed more like command.