Orioles Shake Up Lineup, Recall Yaramil Hiraldo; Coby Mayo Gets First Career Leadoff Start
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
The Baltimore Orioles made a pair of notable moves before Saturday night’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Camden Yards, recalling right-handed pitcher Yaramil Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk while giving Coby Mayo the first leadoff assignment of his Major League career.
The move comes as manager Craig Albernaz continues to look for ways to spark Baltimore’s offense against Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez.
Orioles Recall Yaramil Hiraldo
The Orioles selected the contract of Yaramil Hiraldo from Triple-A Norfolk, adding another fresh arm to the bullpen.
Hiraldo has battled injuries during the 2026 season but impressed during his rehab and recent stint with the Tides. The right-hander features a lively fastball and swing-and-miss splitter, giving Baltimore another high-upside bullpen option as the club navigates the stretch run. Hiraldo debuted in the majors in 2025 and has remained one of the organization’s intriguing relief arms.
Orioles Starting Lineup
Facing left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, Craig Albernaz rolled out the following lineup:
- DH Coby Mayo
- LF Taylor Ward
- SS Gunnar Henderson
- 1B Pete Alonso
- RF Tyler O’Neill
- 3B Christian Encarnacion-Strand
- CF Leody Taveras
- 2B Jackson Holliday
- C Jake Rogers
Starting Pitcher: Shane Baz
Coby Mayo Leads Off for the First Time
The biggest surprise is Coby Mayo batting leadoff, marking the first leadoff start of his Major League career.
While Mayo has traditionally profiled as a middle-of-the-order power hitter, Albernaz’s decision reflects just how dangerous the young slugger has become against left-handed pitching.
Mayo Has Dominated Left-Handed Pitching
One of the biggest reasons for Saturday’s lineup change is Mayo’s remarkable platoon split.
Entering today’s game, Mayo is hitting:
- .280 batting average vs. left-handed pitching
- .352 on-base percentage
- .720 slugging percentage
- 1.072 OPS
- 11 of his 14 home runs have come against left-handed pitchers
Against right-handed pitching, his numbers have been much more modest, making Saturday’s matchup against Sánchez an ideal opportunity to get one of Baltimore’s hottest bats an extra plate appearance.
Mayo has also been swinging one of the hottest bats on the club recently. Over his last 10 games entering Saturday, he is batting .296/.345/.630 with a .974 OPS, continuing a breakout second half after a difficult start to the season.
A Different Kind of Leadoff Hitter
Mayo is not your traditional speed-first leadoff hitter.
Instead, Albernaz appears to be using the top spot to maximize plate appearances for one of Baltimore’s best hitters against southpaws. If Mayo reaches base early, it immediately sets the table for Gunnar Henderson, Pete Alonso and Tyler O’Neill in the heart of the Orioles’ order.
It is an aggressive, matchup-driven decision that reflects modern lineup construction rather than traditional baseball thinking.
MSB Take
This is one of Craig Albernaz’s more interesting lineup decisions of the season.
Instead of simply batting a fast player first, the Orioles are putting one of their most dangerous hitters against left-handed pitching in position to receive an extra at-bat. Mayo has earned that opportunity with his production, and Saturday’s matchup against Cristopher Sánchez is exactly the type of game where his elite numbers versus lefties could make the difference.
Meanwhile, Hiraldo gives Baltimore another fresh bullpen arm after a strong showing in Norfolk. If he carries that success into the major leagues, the Orioles could have another valuable late-season relief option as they continue fighting to climb back into the American League Wild Card race.
