Orioles demote struggling trade deadline acquisition, inch closer to full health

With less than a week left to play, the Orioles are finally inching closer to full health. The O's had been missing a number of important players in the month of September, but three of those hitters have returned in the last couple days.

Jordan Westburg and Ramon Urias were activated off the IL ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Tigers and both have played important roles in their two games back. Urias homered in Tuesday night's game against the Yankees, helping the Orioles take home a victory and secure a 2024 postseason spot in the process.

Then on Tuesday, the Orioles announced the return of stud first baseman Ryan Mountcastle, who has missed the last month while dealing with a wrist injury.

Orioles demote struggling Eloy Jimenez, activate first baseman Ryan Mountcastle

While Mountcastle is set to return to the Orioles, Eloy Jimenez, acquired at the trade deadline from the dismal White Sox, was optioned to Triple-A with just 5 games remaining in the 2024 season. Jimenez has been exceptionally bad in September, hitting just .042/.148/.042 while putting his spot on the postseason roster at risk.

Jimenez was once a top prospect with the Cubs and White Sox but he's mostly failed to live up to the hype thanks to a variety of injuries and an inability to stay on the field. When healthy, Jimenez has been a pretty good hitter. For his career, he's posted a .269/.318/.462 line with 95 homers and strong plate discipline.

Unfortunately, his injury history has essentially limited him to full-time DH duty at just 27 years old. In order for players to make it in a DH-only role, they have to be exceptional hitters. It's tough for teams to clog up a roster spot with a guy who can't provide any defensive value so as soon as they start slipping at the plate, that roster spot comes into question.

Jimenez's playing days certainly aren't over, and it's likely that he'll find his way onto the Orioles playoff roster at some point this October. Technically, Jimenez has 5 years of MLB service time, so he could have refused the minor league assignment if he really wanted to.

There wouldn't have been much advantage there though, as he'd be ineligible for any MLB postseason roster outside of Baltimore. It'll be interesting to see if the Orioles pick up Jimenez's contract option for 2025. He's due $16.5 million in 2025, not including a $3 million buyout. He also has a club option for 2026 worth $18.5 million, but we'll have to wait and see if that comes into play.