Major news rocked the Baltimore orioles roster on Sunday, July 7th, as the team acquired catcher Alex jackson from the New York Yankees. This move directly addresses a sudden and severe injury crisis behind the plate. Simultaneously, the Orioles announced that catcher Gary Sanchez was placed on the injured list, becoming the fourth backstop sidelined in less than three weeks.
The acquisition of Jackson sends international bonus pool money and either a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Yankees. Jackson immediately joins the major league roster, assigned jersey number 70. His arrival provides desperately needed depth for a team navigating an unprecedented wave of injuries at a single position.
Orioles Bolster Catching Depth with Alex Jackson
The Baltimore Orioles secured the services of 29-year-old catcher Alex Jackson in a trade with their American League rivals, the New York Yankees. The official compensation involves $250,000 in international signing bonus pool funds along with either a player the Orioles will name later or cash. This transaction signals the urgency felt by the Orioles front office to find healthy players capable of handling catching duties at the big league level.
Jackson, a former highly-touted prospect, was originally the sixth overall selection in the 2014 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners. His path to the majors has been winding, including time in the organizations of the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays before landing with the Yankees. While his major league stats reflect challenges (.132/.224/.232 slash line across 124 games), he showed better offensive performance at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season.
In 44 games for the Yankees’ top affiliate, Jackson posted a .226 batting average with a .308 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage. He hit 7 doubles, 1 triple, and 10 home runs while driving in 34 runs. His defensive metrics there included throwing out 26.3% of potential base stealers. Orioles manager Tony Mansolino noted Jackson’s experience in “forward-thinking organizations,” suggesting he possesses the capacity to quickly learn the Orioles’ pitching staff and game plans.
Jackson’s major league experience includes 58 games played during the 2024 season across previous organizations. He will be tasked with sharing the catching responsibilities alongside Jacob Stallings, another recent acquisition brought in due to the earlier injuries. Learning an entire pitching staff and the team’s defensive strategies on the fly is a significant challenge, which Mansolino described metaphorically as “drinking out of a fire hose” for both new catchers.
Gary Sanchez Latest Victim in Dire Injury Spate
The trade for Alex Jackson was necessitated by the unfortunate news regarding catcher Gary Sanchez. Sanchez left Saturday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning after landing awkwardly on his right knee while making a tag play at home plate. An MRI on Sunday confirmed a sprained right knee. The Orioles officially placed him on the 10-day injured list, ruling him out at least through the upcoming All-Star break.
Sanchez’s injury is a significant blow, particularly given his recent performance. He had just returned from a wrist injury on June 14 and provided a crucial offensive spark in the absence of starter Adley Rutschman. In the 17 games before his latest setback, Sanchez hit .295 with five home runs and an impressive .922 OPS. His bat will be sorely missed in the middle of the lineup.
A Catching Crisis Deepens
Sanchez is now the fourth Orioles catcher currently residing on the injured list. The situation began just over two weeks ago when primary catcher Adley Rutschman, an All-Star, was placed on the injured list for the first time in his career with a left oblique strain. His expected return remains targeted for sometime after the All-Star break.
Just two days after Rutschman went down, backup catcher Maverick Handley landed on the concussion injured list following a collision. He has yet to resume baseball activities. Then, on July 1st, Chadwick Tromp joined the growing list, sidelined with lower back tightness.
The loss of Rutschman, Handley, Tromp, and now Sanchez leaves the Orioles relying solely on Jacob Stallings and newly acquired Alex Jackson. Both players were acquired within the last 12 days, highlighting the team’s desperate scramble to find healthy bodies capable of playing the position. It’s a truly unprecedented situation for the club’s catcher depth.
Roster dominoes and game context
To make room for Alex Jackson on the 40-man roster and create a spot on the active 26-man roster, the Orioles made additional moves. Infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo was transferred from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day injured list. Mateo suffered a significant left hamstring strain during a rehab assignment, an unfortunate setback just as he neared a return from a previous elbow issue. This hamstring injury is expected to keep him out for 8-12 weeks, making the 60-day IL move a logical step.
The injury situation has heavily impacted the Orioles’ lineup and available personnel. With Sanchez out Saturday night, Jacob Stallings entered the game and delivered a key two-RBI double in the 10th inning of the Orioles’ 9-6 extra-inning victory over the Braves. Stallings, acquired recently, has extensive experience and won a Gold Glove in 2021, providing a veteran defensive presence.
Other recent injury notes impacting the team include reliever Seranthony Dominguez, who has been unavailable for the last two games due to back soreness but is hopeful to return soon. Outfielder Tyler O’Neill and infielder Jordan Westburg recently returned from their own injury stints and were given rest days Sunday, likely precautionary. Pitcher Cody Poteet (60-day IL) recently received an injection and will resume throwing soon, though his return is not expected before late July.
It’s also notable that promising catching prospect Samuel Basallo is not being rushed to the majors despite the crisis. The Orioles organization remains committed to his long-term development plan, indicating they will not call him up purely out of immediate necessity. This decision underscores the team’s focus on organizational pipeline health over short-term fixes, despite the current predicament.
The Orioles are navigating this challenging period while playing a series against the Atlanta Braves. Saturday’s extra-inning win showcased both offensive power (three home runs over 426 feet) and effective bullpen work (5.2 innings of one-run relief). The team’s hitting with runners in scoring position has also seen significant improvement since June 1st, ranking third in the majors during that span.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the latest update on Orioles catcher Gary Sanchez’s injury?
Orioles catcher Gary Sanchez was diagnosed with a sprained right knee after injuring it during Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves. He was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, July 7th. The team anticipates Sanchez will be sidelined at least through the upcoming Major League Baseball All-Star break.
Which Orioles catchers are currently injured and who is available?
As of Sunday, July 7th, the Baltimore Orioles have four catchers on the injured list: Adley Rutschman (left oblique strain), Maverick Handley (concussion), Chadwick Tromp (lower back tightness), and Gary Sanchez (right knee sprain). This leaves the team with only two healthy catchers on the major league roster: Jacob Stallings and the newly acquired Alex Jackson.
Why did the Baltimore Orioles trade for catcher Alex Jackson?
The Orioles acquired catcher Alex Jackson from the New York Yankees to address a critical and sudden lack of depth at the position due to multiple injuries. With four other catchers, including starters Adley Rutschman and Gary Sanchez, on the injured list, the team needed immediate help. Jackson, a former first-round pick with Triple-A offensive success this season, was acquired to share catching duties with Jacob Stallings and provide a necessary roster spot behind the plate.
Navigating this extensive injury list, particularly the decimation of their catching corps, presents a significant challenge for the Baltimore Orioles as they push through the season. The acquisition of Alex Jackson provides a temporary solution, highlighting the team’s urgent need for healthy players at a position vital to pitching staff success and game management. The coming weeks will test the depth and resilience of the organization.
