Orioles sign Segura to minor league deal, plus other pregame notes

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Orioles made another move today to upgrade their infield depth at the Triple-A level, signing veteran Jean Segura to a minor league contract.

The news comes two days after corner infielder J.D. Davis agreed to terms on a similar deal.

Segura, 34, is a career .281/.327/.401 hitter in 12 major league seasons with six teams. He made the All-Star team with the Brewers in 2013 and Mariners in 2018 and placed 13^th in National League Most Valuable Player voting with the Diamondbacks in 2016.

The 2024 season was passing by without Segura, who didn’t play in the majors or minors. He appeared in 85 games with the Marlins last summer and hit .219/.277/.279.

The Marlins traded Segura to the Guardians on Aug. 1, 2013 in the Josh Bell deal, and he was released that day.

Segura is eight years removed from a 20-home run season. He’s reached double digits seven times, including 10 with the Phillies in 2022.

The Mariners signed Segura to a five-year, $70 million contract in 2017, and they traded him to the Phillies following the 2018 season.

Segura can play shortstop, second base and third base, and that versatility could be useful with Jordan Westburg and Jorge Mateo on the injured list.

Other infielders signed and sent to Norfolk this summer include Livan Soto, Garrett Cooper and Niko Goodrum.

Manager Brandon Hyde didn’t have updates on pitchers Grayson Rodriguez (lat/teres discomfort) and Jacob Webb (elbow inflammation), but executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias is expected to meet with the media on Saturday.

Jackson Holliday is climbing the lineup card, batting sixth tonight for the first time in the majors. He’s hit ninth in 12 games and eighth in five and made his initial start in the seventh spot last night in Toronto. He hit eighth on Wednesday.

A hot bat is one reason. Holliday is slashing .321/.387/.786 with a double, four home runs, 11 RBIs, two walks, eight runs scored and one hit-by-pitch in eight games since his return.

“And kind of where the lineup is at that time, matchups, things like that,” Hyde said.

Holliday has scored a run in nine consecutive games since April 23 and has an RBI in six games in a row. His streak of scoring a run and driving in a run in six consecutive games is tied for the second-longest since 1920 for a player before turning 21, trailing only Mel Ott, who did it in nine straight for the New York Giants in 1929.

The nine consecutive games with a run scored is the longest by an Orioles player since Nick Markakis in 2008. Brady Anderson is the last, with 10 in a row in 1997, one shy of Frank Robinson’s club record in 1966.

Coby Mayo is out of the lineup in back-to-back games. The Orioles took ground balls earlier today on the turf field.

Mayo is hitless in 13 at-bats since the Orioles promoted him and he’s struck out eight times. His two walks came in his debut.

“It’s part of being a young player,” Hyde said. “He’s had a couple tough places to play. This is another one here, especially if you haven’t been here before. But he’s still a really, really young player with a huge future ahead of him, and maybe take a little time to get acclimated to the big leagues.”

Hyde is picking his spots with Mayo.

“Defensively and offensively,” Hyde said. “Trying to give him matchups. He’s never played on this surface before, so it’s not an easy place to break in.”

Playing on turf in consecutive series is tough on the body and adds another challenge to a team that’s trying to reclaim sole possession of first place.

“We’ve got a couple guys who are a little banged up,” Hyde said. “The surfaces are way different, too. That’s why we’re out here right now, even though we got in super late this morning, because some of these guys haven’t played here, they haven’t seen the roof. Trying to get acclimated a little bit to it. A way different ballpark than you normally play in.”

Another series in St. Petersburg allows injured Orioles rehabbing in Sarasota to meet up with the team. Pitchers Félix Bautista, Tyler Wells and Kyle Bradish were on the field during batting practice.

Bautista played catch again on flat ground. He isn’t throwing off a mound.

Former Orioles outfielder Austin Hays went on the Philles’ 10-day injured list today with a left hamstring strain.

Tampa Bay hasn’t announced its starter for Saturday but right-hander Drew Rasmussen is expected to serve as opener.

For the Rays

Yandy Díaz DH
Brandon Lowe 1B
Dylan Carlson LF
Christopher Morel 2B
Ben Rortvedt C
Jonny DeLuca RF
José Caballero 3B
Taylor Walls SS
Jose Siri CF

Zack Littell RHP