What can Norby do with next Orioles opportunity? (Norby homers)

These things have a way of working themselves out. It’s more than just a catchy phrase suitable for stitching on a pillow.

Connor Norby was blocked at second base until he wasn’t. Injuries open doors and Norby is walking through one of them.

Jorge Mateo’s elbow injury is going to keep him off the active roster for an extended period. It’s called a “subluxation,” which is a partial dislocation. It corrected itself somewhere between Gunnar Henderson’s leg and the ground last night as they pursued a ball headed toward center field.

The Orioles haven’t determined whether Mateo needs surgery, but at least it isn’t a full dislocation. I’m not a doctor, but partial doesn’t seem quite as serious. However, it's a lot more than a mere 10-day absence.

In the meantime, here’s Norby, the No. 5 prospect in the organization who hit .297 with 21 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, 57 RBIs and a .908 OPS in 80 games with Triple-A Norfolk but couldn’t get an extended stay in Baltimore. In pre-Mike Elias years, he would have been playing every day after probably receiving the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year Award. But it’s 2024 and the system is much deeper, making it harder for players like Norby to climb out of it.

“He’s going to get some regular playing time,” manager Brandon Hyde told the media in Miami.

Sure enough, Norby is starting at second base today and batting eighth as the Orioles try to avoid being swept in Miami. He’s appearing in his fifth game after going 3-for-14 with a home run.

Mateo’s injury is why Elias is careful about dealing from his prospect pile. Injuries happen and the Orioles are better equipped than a lot of teams on the position player side to compensate for them.

The Orioles are losing a middle infielder who can influence games with his elite speed and who’s mostly impressed at second base. But Mateo’s also batting .229/.267/.401 in 68 games. He was 11-for-51 last month and 6-for-31 in July. He’s hitting .204/.233/.333 against right-handers.

An offense with a dead battery needs a jump. This is an unfortunate way for it to happen, but the Orioles have to promote some hot hitters. It just worked out this way.

Norby could get most of the starts at second base if he produces the way he did in the minors, with Jordan Westburg the primary third baseman. They could share second, with Ramón Urías available to play third. Norby could be showcased and packaged in a trade for a starting pitcher ahead of Tuesday’s 6 p.m. deadline.

His first preference is to stay in the organization that drafted and developed him, but he also wants to be a major league second baseman, not the Triple-A guy with a seat on the shuttle. He has nothing else to prove in the minors, at least on the offensive side.

Coby Mayo has started at first base in Norfolk’s last five games, but his streak is on hold with the Tides’ afternoon tilt against Jacksonville postponed due to pending inclement weather. He’s approaching his own debut date, perhaps after the deadline.

The rotation also is under construction again with Chayce McDermott optioned after last night’s debut start. Cade Povich is eligible to return on Saturday.

Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer are listed as the first two starters in the weekend series against the Padres at Camden Yards, with Sunday TBA. That would be Albert Suárez's spot on regular rest. The Padres list all three starters as TBA.

The Orioles play a doubleheader against the Blue Jays on Monday and McDermott could return as the 27^th man. Those plans will be revealed later.

Reliever Bryan Baker was recalled today as the counter move to Mateo going on the IL. Baker could only return this soon if replacing an injured player.

* Luis Almeyda, the No. 18 prospect in the system, came out of today's Florida Complex League game with right shoulder discomfort. He was batting leadoff and serving as the designated hitter.

Update: Norby just his an opposite-field home run in the fourth inning, the second of his major league career and first in the U.S.