Craig Albernaz Announces Disappointing Baltimore Orioles Injury News
The Baltimore Orioles were dealt another setback at spring training as injuries continue to impact their infield depth heading into the 2026 season. With several players already working their way back, Baltimore was hoping to rely on internal options to help fill early‑season gaps.
One of those options was infielder Luis Vazquez, who had been competing for a spot on the Opening Day roster. Given the injuries to key players like Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg , Vazquez had a legitimate opportunity to break camp with the team as a depth piece.
However, those plans have now changed following a tough injury update. Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner reported this past week, “Luis Vazquez suffered a broken right thumb, Orioles manager Craig Albernaz said. Vazquez was hit by a pitch yesterday.”
The injury is a significant blow for Vazquez, who will now almost certainly begin the season on the injured list, removing him from contention for the Opening Day roster. It also adds to Baltimore’s growing list of unavailable players as the season approaches, a trend that has continued to follow the club in recent years.
Vazquez, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs in January 2025 in exchange for cash considerations, had been trying to carve out a role with the Orioles. While his bat has yet to fully translate at the big‑league level, his defensive versatility made him a candidate to serve as a depth infielder.
During the 2025 season, Vazquez appeared in 32 games for Baltimore and struggled offensively, posting a .160 batting average with a .208 on‑base percentage and a .448 OPS, along with one home run and three RBIs. He also struck out at a high rate. This spring, he showed modest improvement in a small sample, hitting .211 with a .286 on‑base percentage and .602 OPS across eight games.
Even so, the 26-year-old's primary value was expected to come on the defensive side, where he could have provided stability while the Orioles waited for their regular starters to return. Now, that role will have to be filled elsewhere.
For a team with postseason aspirations, losing even a depth piece like Vazquez is not ideal, especially when multiple injuries are already testing the roster. As the Orioles move closer to Opening Day, their ability to withstand these early setbacks could play a key role in determining how competitive they are out of the gate.
