Diaz going on injured list, Santander completes assignment

No longer confident that Yusniel Diaz is nearing a return to the Triple-A Norfolk lineup, the Orioles have decided to place him on the minor league injured list.

Diaz hasn't played since exiting a May 9 game in Jacksonville following an RBI double in the ninth inning. He strained his right hip/quadriceps muscle and needed assistance leaving the field.

The No. 7 prospect in the organization according to Baseball America and No. 8 per MLBPipeline.com, Diaz is 5-for-25 with a double, home run and six RBIs in five games. He's drawn one walk and struck out seven times.

The cancellation of the minor league season ruined Diaz's chances of playing in the majors last summer and injuries keep slowing his assent.

Diaz was sidelined by hamstring and quadriceps injuries in 2019.

The Orioles delayed the move because Triple-A rosters expanded to 33 players and there wasn't as much urgency to make an adjustment. But his day-to-day status couldn't cover for his projected absence, which is likely to continue for at least another week.

Also, Orioles outfielder Anthony Santander completed his three-day injury rehab assignment at Double-A Bowie. Santander, who sprained his left ankle April 20 in Miami, went 4-for-12 with a home run while playing for the Baysox.

Santander is going through the protocol process and expected to be reinstated for the weekend series in D.C. Which day depends on when he completes it.

Single-A Delmarva infielder Gunnar Henderson was named Low-A East League Player of the Week after going 10-for-23 (.435) with four doubles, a home run, 13 RBIs and seven runs scored.

Bowie third baseman Patrick Dorrian was named Double-A Northeast Player of the Week. He was 7-for-21 with three doubles, three home runs - including a grand slam - 11 RBIs, seven walks and eight runs scored.

Dorrian, acquired from the Pirates in the Yefry Ramirez trade, leads the league through the first two weeks in slugging percentage (.909) and OPS (1.420). He's tied for second in all of Double-A baseball with five home runs.