A MASSIVE SETBACKA: The Baltimore orioles right fielder Anthony Santander will not be part of the Orioles squad September 22nd VS Tigers, due to…

Santander’s absence comes at a crucial time for the Orioles, who are battling for playoff positioning. The team is in the thick of the American League East race and is fighting for one of the top spots in the highly competitive AL Wild Card standings. Losing a player of Santander’s caliber, even for a single game, can have a significant impact.

Manager Brandon Hyde addressed the media following the announcement, expressing concern about Santander’s condition but emphasizing that the decision to rest him was made to prioritize his long-term health.

“We’re taking this injury seriously, and while we would love to have Anthony in the lineup, we need him to be healthy for the remainder of the season,” Hyde said. “He’s been such a key part of our success, and we’ll need him at full strength if we’re going to make a deep playoff run.”

Anthony Santander has been an instrumental piece of the Orioles’ lineup throughout the season, providing both power and consistency from the right field position. The 29-year-old switch hitter has emerged as one of the team’s top offensive threats, batting .270 with 28 home runs and 89 RBIs through 142 games this season.

In addition to his contributions at the plate, Santander’s defensive work in the outfield has been solid. His ability to cover ground and make strong throws from right field has helped bolster the Orioles’ defense, which has played a critical role in their resurgence this season.

Santander’s leadership and veteran presence have also been valuable for a young Orioles team, many of whom are experiencing their first taste of meaningful September baseball.

With Santander out of the lineup, the Orioles will have to rely on their depth to cover the void. One option for Hyde is Austin Hays, who could shift from left field to right, allowing Ryan McKenna or Aaron Hicks to fill in on the other side. Additionally, the Orioles have multiple utility players capable of stepping in to help stabilize the outfield defense.

The Orioles will be counting on other offensive contributors like Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Ryan Mountcastle to carry the load as they face the Tigers. The team has prided itself on a “next man up” mentality throughout the season, and this situation will be yet another test of their depth and resilience.

While the Orioles are hopeful that Santander’s injury is not a long-term concern, his absence on September 22 against the Tigers underscores the importance of maintaining health down the stretch. Baltimore will need all of its key players in top form as they push for their first postseason appearance since 2016. As the playoff race heats up, keeping Santander healthy for October could be crucial for their success.

The Orioles will closely monitor Santander’s progress and hope to have him back in the lineup soon, but for now, their focus remains on overcoming the Tigers and keeping their playoff hopes alive.