Orioles Reinstate Blaze Alexander From Injured List, Option Luis Vázquez to Triple-A Norfolk
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
The Baltimore Orioles got an important piece of their lineup back Friday, reinstating infielder/outfielder Blaze Alexander from the 10-day injured list ahead of their West Coast series against the Athletics.
To clear a spot on the 26-man roster, Baltimore optioned infielder Luis Vázquez to Triple-A Norfolk. The Orioles announced both moves Friday evening. The transaction comes only two days after Vázquez joined the major league roster when Tyler O’Neill went on the injured list.
Alexander’s return is significant for an Orioles club trying to make a late-season push. Baltimore enters Friday at 65-68, and Alexander had been one of the team’s most productive and versatile players before suffering a fractured left hand in July.
Alexander Was Having a Breakout Season
Alexander has been one of the Orioles’ better surprises in 2026.
The 27-year-old is batting .312 with four home runs, 29 RBIs, nine stolen bases and an .807 OPS in 221 at-bats this season. Those numbers represent a substantial offensive improvement over his earlier major league work.
His value goes beyond the numbers.
Alexander has given Baltimore considerable defensive flexibility, starting at six different positions this season. That versatility gives Orioles manager Craig Albernaz another option as he tries to piece together lineups during the final month of the season.
Alexander suffered the injury when Kansas City Royals pitcher Lucas Erceg hit him with a pitch on July 12. The Orioles eventually placed Alexander on the injured list retroactive to July 13 with a non-displaced fracture in his left hand.
It was unfortunate timing for a player who had established himself as a near-everyday contributor.
Quick Trip Through Norfolk
Alexander began a rehab assignment with the Norfolk Tides on Aug. 25 as the Orioles tested his hand in game action.
Baltimore also used the assignment to get Alexander work at multiple positions, an indication the Orioles intended to immediately resume using him in his utility role once he returned.
The results were apparently enough.
MASN’s Roch Kubatko reported Friday morning that Alexander had appeared in three rehab games with Norfolk and that an activation before September roster expansion was a possibility. Only hours later, Baltimore made the move official.
Interestingly, Alexander had essentially predicted the timetable himself. Earlier this month, after receiving encouraging results from an X-ray, Alexander said he hoped to return during Baltimore’s West Coast trip and specifically suggested Aug. 28 as a possibility.
He hit the target.
Vázquez Heads Back to Norfolk
Vázquez’s latest major league stay turned out to be extremely short.
Baltimore selected his contract from Norfolk on Wednesday when O’Neill went on the 10-day injured list because of right shoulder inflammation. The Orioles had placed O’Neill on the IL retroactive to Aug. 23 after an MRI revealed a right rotator cuff strain.
Vázquez scored one run during his brief stint but did not record an official at-bat. He now returns to Norfolk as Alexander retakes his spot on the roster.
The 26-year-old Puerto Rico native has played shortstop, second base and third base during his professional career. Originally a 14th-round selection of the Chicago Cubs in the 2017 MLB Draft, Vázquez has appeared in the majors previously but owns a .145 career batting average with one home run and four RBIs in 62 at-bats.
His ability to play multiple infield positions still gives Baltimore useful organizational depth heading into September.
Orioles Getting Healthier in Key Areas
Alexander’s activation continues a recent run of reinforcements.
Catcher Samuel Basallo returned from the injured list on Aug. 19, while closer Félix Bautista is also progressing through a minor league rehab assignment. Bautista threw a perfect inning for Norfolk on Thursday and reached 97.1 mph with his sinker, according to MASN.
Baltimore still has significant injuries. O’Neill is now sidelined with the shoulder issue, Zach Eflin underwent Tommy John surgery in April, and Ryan Helsley remains on the 60-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.
Getting Alexander back nevertheless gives the Orioles something they have been missing for more than a month: a productive right-handed bat who can be moved almost anywhere on the diamond.
MSB Take
Blaze Alexander may not be the biggest name on the Orioles roster, but Baltimore absolutely missed him.
A .312 average and .807 OPS from a player capable of starting at six different positions is extremely valuable. Alexander had developed into one of the Orioles’ most reliable players before the fractured hand interrupted his season.
The Orioles have put themselves in a difficult position at 65-68, so there is little room for error during the final month. Getting Alexander back does not solve everything, but it makes the roster deeper, gives Albernaz considerably more lineup flexibility and returns one of Baltimore’s best contact hitters.
Now the Orioles need Alexander to pick up where he left off.
And with September arriving, they need wins even more.
