Pregame notes on Mateo, Kjerstad, Burnes, roster expansion and more from Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde, already with a group of 12 on the club's injured list, found out today that infielder Jorge Mateo will not make it back for any of the remaining part of the 2024 season.

Today he had a left elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John surgery) with internal brace and flexor repair. The surgery was performed by Dr. Keith Meister at Trinity Park Surgery Center in Arlington, Texas. 

“He had successful surgery today. We’re happy about that,” said Hyde. “That everything went really well. Hoping he is back by the regular season next year, but we’re happy the surgery went well.

“He’s a big loss, just like Westy’s (Jordan Westburg) a big loss also. What we lose (with the) speed factor, the defense, the stolen base threat. Everything he does bring. You know, when he’s going well he’s tough to get out and if you don’t get him out he’s going to score because of the threat he is on the bases. Losing Jorgie is a big loss for us.”

Mateo becomes the fifth player on the O's IL list of 12 that will not return this year, joining Félix Bautista, Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells. 

Hyde provided a brief update on Heston Kjerstad, who is on that list but they hope does return before the year is out. He last played on July 29. He was optioned to the minors Aug. 1, but that was voided when he went on the concussion injury list Aug. 7. Kjerstad has hit .261 with a .791 OPS in 28 games.  

“He is ramping up baseball activities now. He’s doing really well. I can’t give you an exact timeline on that but I can just tell you everything is progressing well,” said Hyde.

When the O’s today claimed outfielder Forrest Wall on waivers from the Marlins and optioning him to Triple-A Norfolk, reliever Dillon Tate was designated for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster. Tate, who had three stints with the club this year, had a 4.59 ERA in 29 games with the Orioles.

“I’m hoping the best for D-Tate. I know how hard he has worked to get back to that form. Hope he latches on (with another team) or we keep him in the organization. He’s got a lot of years left,” stated Hyde.

Major league rosters will expand on Sept. 1 from 26 to 28 players. That date is coming up on Sunday when the Orioles are in Colorado. Teams could take two position players and no additional pitchers, but the O’s, said Hyde, will not do that.

"I don’t think that’s even an option for us, that’s why I don’t think it’s even come up. Unless something strange happens, I would see us taking one and one,” he said.

Tonight, an O’s win at Dodger Stadium would give Baltimore a series victory over the National League West leaders. But for that to happen, right-hander Corbin Burnes likely needs to turn around his recent slump. Over his past four games, Burnes is 1-2 with an 8.71 ERA, as his season ERA jumped from 2.47 to 3.28. Opponent batters are hitting .322 with an OPS of .849 against him in those games.

“The stuff is the same,” said Hyde. “I think he’s got some bad breaks the last few starts. Maybe let some innings spiral on him. Some soft contact that maybe led to some homers or big innings. But I think you are going to see him end the season well. There’s been no drop-off from a stuff standpoint.”

Have the O’s and Burnes looked to tweak or tinker with any pitch sequencing?

“He is so well prepared and has a game plan going in," Hyde said. "Works well with our advance team on how they are going to attack the lineup. I think anytime you are going through rough patches, you might second-guess yourself on what pitch you should have thrown. He’s got such great stuff that when he throws the ball with conviction, good things usually happen."

The Orioles are 17-21 against NL clubs this season. A win tonight or tomorrow would end a five-series streak without a victory against NL clubs. The O's have gone 0-4-1 versus the Cubs, Marlins, Padres, Nats and Mets.