Source: Orioles optioning Mayo later today (O's select Johnson's contract)

The return of another injured player to the Orioles’ roster is costing Coby Mayo his spot.

The organization’s No. 1 prospect and Minor League Player of the Year will be optioned later today, according to an industry source. The Orioles haven’t announced the move.

Infielder Ramón Urías appeared in his second rehab game last night with Triple-A Norfolk and could be rejoining the club.

Mayo has played in 17 games with the Orioles and gone 4-for-41 with four walks and 22 strikeouts. He started at first base last night and lined a single into center field in the fourth inning before James McCann homered in a 7-1 win over the Tigers. He shattered his bat earlier on a ground ball to short.

Steady starts have eluded Mayo at the major league level despite injuries to Urías, Jordan Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle. He cracked the lineup only six times this month.  

Emmanuel Rivera became the everyday third baseman, with occasional appearances at first against left-handed pitching. Ryan O’Hearn starts at first against right-handers, relegating Mayo to the bench.

It's a tough situation for a young power hitter, but the Orioles are trying to win their division or at least clinch the first Wild Card and the circumstances are dictating their lineup construction. They recently sat Jackson Holliday in three consecutive games, though his opportunities far outweigh Mayo's.

Mayo could be added to the playoff roster, but teams go back to carrying 26 players and the Orioles also are preparing to reinstate Westburg and Mountcastle

Manager Brandon Hyde indicated earlier this week that Urías could return before Westburg after their rehab assignments began on Thursday.

Urías sprained his ankle on Aug. 31 in Colorado and went 3-for-7 with a home run in two games with Norfolk. He ran sprints during a workout at Camden Yards prior to leaving the club

Westburg’s right hand was fractured on July 31 after being hit by a pitch from Toronto’s Yerry Rodríguez. He’s 3-for-9 with a double in his two games with the Tides and might require a few more at-bats before the Orioles activate him.

Mountcastle was 0-for-4 with two strikeouts last night. He hasn’t played for the Orioles since Aug. 22.

Update: An injured player did impact Mayo, but it was center fielder Cedric Mullins.

Mullins wasn't available last night due to neck stiffness caused by his collision Thursday night with Austin Slater. The Orioles selected left-handed hitting outfielder Daniel Johnson's contract today while optioning Mayo.

Johnson was on the 24-hour taxi squad earlier this summer. He's wearing No. 53.

The 40-man roster has 39 players.

Johnson, 29, hasn't played in the majors since 2021 with Cleveland. He's batting .259 with a .768 OPS, 20 doubles, one triple, 21 home runs and 76 RBIs in 118 games with Norfolk.

By optioning Mayo now, he retains eligibility for the Wild Card roster if he's added to it. And if the Orioles qualify.

Infielder Terrin Vavra is here on the taxi squad.