The Orioles announced Monday that they’ve designated right-hander Thyago Vieira for assignment. His spot on the roster will go to top infield prospect Connor Norby, whose previously reported promotion to the big leagues has now been formally announced by the team. Baltimore also placed infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo on the 7-day concussion list and recalled left-hander Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk.
The Orioles only recently acquired the 30-year-old Vieira in a trade with the Brewers, who’d also designated him for assignment. Baltimore added Vieira and righty Aneuris Rodriguez, sending minor league right-hander Garrett Stallings back to Milwaukee. Based on the way things played out with Vieira, it seems Rodriguez was the more interesting component of that swap for the O’s.
Vieira made only one appearance as a member of the Orioles, and went about as poorly as a debut could go. The right-hander faced five hitters but didn’t retire any of them, yielding a hit and four walks before being lifted from the game. He wound up being charged with three runs in what could very well end up an extremely brief stay in the organization.
Vieira is one of baseball’s hardest throwers, averaging 98 mph on a fastball that has often touched triple digits. He’s now appeared in 17 big league games this season and yielded runs in ten of them, however. In 22 1/3 frames between the Brewers and O’s, he’s logged an ugly 6.85 ERA. Despite his premium velocity, Vieira’s shaky command has undercut his ability to pile up strikeouts. This year’s 22.5% strikeout rate is effectively league-average (22.3%), but his 15.3% walk rate is one of the highest marks in baseball. He’s also struggled with home runs, yielding an average of 2.42 big flies per nine innings.
Though his MLB experience is limited, Vieira had a mostly solid run with Japan’s Yomiuri Giants in Nippon Professional Baseball from 2020-22. Command was still a problem for him even when pitching overseas, but he notched a 3.61 ERA there and whiffed 26.2% of his opponents. His pre-NPB track record in the majors was nearly as spotty as his results so far in 2024, however. Overall, he’s totaled 51 MLB innings but posted a 6.71 ERA with a 20.7% strikeout rate and 13% walk rate. The Orioles will have a week to trade Vieira, attempt to pass him through outright waivers, or release him.
As for Mateo, he’ll head to the concussion list on the heels of a freak injury. He was clipped in the head by teammate Cedric Mullins’ bat when Mateo reached into the on-deck circle to grab a weight for his bat (X link with video). Ramon Urias subsequently pinch-hit for Mateo.
Once the Orioles’ primary shortstop, Mateo has instead seen the bulk of his action at second base this year, in addition to four appearances in center and two at his now-former shortstop slot. He’s hitting .246/.294/.447 with three homers and ten stolen bases in 128 plate appearances on the year.
first as usual :3
this guy isnt good.
This doesn’t really surprise me after having an infinite ERA with the Orioles, but I’m leaning towards this being another plane ticket somewhere rather than an outright. He throws too fast for someone to not try him, especially with the Angels being a team that exists.
its funny cause his ERA+ was 6 XD
Feels like they always intended to just cut him and hope he sneaks through waivers.
can’t see anyone claiming him and giving him a roster spot after he epic soiling of the bed in his debut. that having been said, I hope he signs a minor league deal to remain and see if the staff can help him develop some control. 98 mph means nothing of it’s going into the batter’s ear hole. maybe a “smarter, not harder” approach might work with “PFC Walk”.
Color me surprised.
Thyago here, Thyago there, but Thyago not pitch well anywhere.
If the Brewers and Orioles couldn’t fix him, there aren’t a lot of stops left.
Well if the Orioles can get him through waivers maybe a complex stop would be good for him.
Possibly. But one of the Orioles real strengths is their ability to quickly identify when they have gotten all they can out of a player. That might be the case here.
Nick Vespi. My man! Wearing the black and orange since 2015 and under two different
regimes. Nothing spectacular stuff wise but I guess crafty to be around this long? Kudos to Elias and crew for not jettisoning this Duquette era find. Go gettum Nick!
Vespi. I feel for this guy, what’s the record for times a guy gets called to the Bigs, to not appear in a game and get returned to AAA? Nick has to be Top 5 of all time in that category.
The headline says Thiago, which is fine. But the real story is Norby is called up.
He’s one of those guys you don’t focus on because he’s usually standing next to so many heralded young Orioles rising stars and elite prospects. A little like Westburg, for example. In other systems, he’d be attracting a lot of attention. It’s interesting that he can get called up, and almost skulk quietly in there.
How does a 31 yr old pitcher keep getting chances when his career era is almost 7