Yohel Pozo’s night ended early Tuesday at Target Field after a painful collision at the plate left the Orioles without another catcher.
The 29-year-old backstop was pulled in the third inning after Josh Bell’s swing hit Pozo in the left hand. The bat knocked Pozo’s glove off, and he was charged with catcher’s interference on the play. Before leaving the game, Pozo was examined by head athletic trainer Scott Barringer and manager Craig Albernaz because of left index finger pain.
Carlos Narváez finished behind the plate after Pozo exited.
Baltimore’s catching depth is already stretched thin. Samuel Basallo has been on the injured list with right shoulder inflammation since July 22, retroactive to July 20.
The Orioles also spent part of the season without Adley Rutschman, who was on the IL with left wrist inflammation from July 20 until he was traded to Boston on Aug. 3.
If the Orioles need another move before Wednesday afternoon’s series finale, Silas Ardoin is already in Minneapolis on the club’s catcher taxi squad. The 25-year-old has never been added to a big league roster before, and he’s batting .180 with five doubles, one triple, two home runs and a .570 OPS in 53 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season.
Meanwhile, former Orioles catcher Jake Rogers was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday as the corresponding move for Rutschman being reinstated from the IL. Rogers appeared in three games for Baltimore before being sent to Boston in the Rutschman trade.
Pozo has given Baltimore a quick jolt since arriving, hitting .300 (3-for-10) with one home run and two RBIs in six games. The Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Cardinals on July 23.
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