Kelvin

Gutierrez

Gutiérrez started at third base for the Orioles on Opening Day, but he was pushed off the 40-man roster in early May after batting just .143/.250/.179 across 33 plate appearances. The 28-year-old infielder is a career .228/.292/.309 hitter in 419 total plate appearances at the MLB level.

Gutierrez cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization.

Gutiérrez has struggled at the dish this season, hitting .143/.250/.179 with zero homers and one stolen base across 33 plate appearances. The Orioles have opted to get a look at some of the younger alternatives in their system moving forward. It’s likely he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed.

The typically light-hitting Gutierrez is now 6-for-15 this spring. He entered camp as the favorite to start at third base for the Orioles, and he’s obviously done nothing to hurt his stock. Still, there is the chance the Orioles could play Ramon Urias at third if they want to give Jorge Mateo a look at shortstop. Gutierrez would still likely make the club as a reserve in that scenario.

Gutierrez is hitting .289/.352/.434 in his last 25 starts, though that still gives him just a .604 OPS for the season. The Orioles will probably bump him from the 40-man after the season, but they could try to re-sign him to a minor league contract and have him contend for the third base job next spring.

After being shut down by Jordan Lyles in a scoreless battle through the first six frames, the O’s finally broke through in the seventh on an RBI double by Pat Valaika. Gutierrez then delivered the dagger, with his two-run shot to make it a 3-0 game. He finished the night 2-for-3 and is now hitting .202/.257/.283 with two homers and 19 RBI 269 plate appearances on the year.

Urias made an early exit from Sunday’s series finale against the Yankees due to soreness in his upper right leg. He’s improving, but not quite ready. Kelvin Gutierrez will cover third base and bat ninth.

Gutierrez was acquired from the Royals last month and went 4-for-23 (.174) during his first stint with the O’s. He’s likely to see part-time duty in the infield over the final few weeks of the season, but there’s no fantasy value to be had here.

Gutierrez was 4-for-23 (.174) during his time on the O’s active roster and has now batted just .209/.256/.278 in 168 total plate appearances this year between Kansas City and Baltimore.

Gutierrez is taking the place of Maikel Franco on the roster, as Franco was placed on the injured list with his sprained ankle. The former Kansas City infielder was hitting just .215/.254/.296 with the Royals before he was designated for assignment and came over in a trade on Saturday between the two clubs. He has no fantasy relevance whatsoever.