Sources: Mayo joining Orioles for second stint in majors

DENVER – Expanded roster plans in September took a clearer shape earlier today.

The Orioles are bringing corner infielder Coby Mayo to Colorado, according to multiple sources. He can become the 14^th position player beginning Sunday, a move that was anticipated.

Mayo went 1-for-17 with 10 strikeouts in his first major league experience but kept abusing Triple-A pitching, batting .293 with a .943 OPS, 23 doubles, three triples, 22 home runs and 67 RBIs in 87 games with the Norfolk Tides. Two of his home runs were hit after the Orioles optioned him.

Mayo started at first base again last night, where he could be used by the Orioles with Ryan Mountcastle on the injured list.

Ramón Urías is red-hot at the plate, slashing .357/.440/.738 with a 1.178 OPS over his last 14 games since Aug. 16, and seems to have third base locked up with Jordan Westburg also on the injured list.

The 40-man roster is full but promoting Mayo doesn’t require a corresponding move.

The Orioles can keep making adjustments to the roster and likely will consider outfielder Forrest Wall, a left-handed hitter who’s 4-for-10 with a homer and five RBIs since joining Norfolk.

Zach Eflin is expected to be reinstated from the injured list Sunday and start against the Rockies to close out the series and road trip. He would represent the extra pitcher.

It’s also possible that the Orioles made a separate move for a fresh arm. Brandon Young was scratched from last night’s start with Norfolk and watched the game from the dugout in street clothes. No explanation was provided.

Reliever Nick Anderson, another newcomer to the organization, is likely to have his contract selected, and it may not take long.

The Baltimore Sun first reported that Mayo, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the system’s No. 1 prospect with Jackson Holliday graduating from eligibility, was expected to join the Orioles.

The club hasn't confirmed Mayo's pending promotion.

Dean Kremer is making his 20^th start tonight. He’s registered three consecutive quality starts with a combined five runs allowed in 18 innings.

Kremer’s fastball is producing a groundball rate of 30.3 percent this month, down from 47.2 in July per STATS.

Kremer hasn’t faced the Rockies in his career. Jake Cave is 1-for-3 against him.

The Orioles still trail the Yankees by 1 ½ games in the division.  

They scored more than four runs last night for the first time since Aug. 23, snapping a five-game streak that was tied for longest of the season. They recorded double-digit hits for the first time since Aug. 20.

Colorado right-hander Ryan Feltner is 1-10 with a 4.95 ERA and 1.429 WHIP in 24 starts. He owns a career 7-24 record with a 5.54 ERA and 1.480 WHIP in 56 games.

Feltner is making his second start since going on the injured list with a right shoulder strain. He’s never faced the Orioles.

Emmanuel Rivera is the only Oriole who’s faced Feltner. He’s 1-for-7 with a walk and a strikeout.

Eleven Rockies have made their major league debuts this season, the most since 2016, when they tied the franchise record with 12.