The Baltimore Orioles got an update on injured utility man Blaze Alexander during their current series with the New York Mets.
The Baltimore Orioles won a thrilling comeback game on Tuesday over the New York Mets. First baseman Pete Alonso had a massive night, hitting his 300th career home run in dramatic fashion in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game, and the Orioles went on to win it in extra innings. It was a win they absolutely had to have given how little time remains in the regular season.
With the victory, the Orioles remain three games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the final AL wild card spot with just 10 games remaining. The odds are not in their favor, but they are not done just yet and Tuesday proved this group still has fight left in them.
The Orioles are currently shorthanded as utility man Blaze Alexander went down on September 8 due to back spasms. He continued to feel the discomfort the following day, leading to his placement on the 10-day injured list. It marked Alexander's second IL stint this year, after he previously fractured his left hand back in July and missed over six weeks. Fortunately, Alexander took his first step forward during their current series in Queens.
"Blaze Alexander is starting baseball activities. No current return to play timeline," reported Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports.
Even without a timeline, given how much Alexander cares about this organization and how much the Orioles mean to him, he would likely forego a rehab assignment and return directly to the big-league club when he feels fully ready. Time is not on his side with so few games remaining, making every day of his recovery critical.
When on the field this year Alexander has been excellent. He is in his first season with the Orioles after being acquired last offseason in a deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 27-year-old has posted a .303 batting average, .358 on-base percentage, .772 OPS, 10 stolen bases and 31 RBIs across 93 games, all career highs. His versatility across multiple infield and outfield positions has made his absence particularly impactful for a team that needs every available weapon.
Alexander still has years of team control remaining, making him a meaningful part of the organization's future plans. That long-term context may cause the Orioles to be appropriately cautious about rushing him back even with the playoff race on the line. Getting him healthy heading into 2027 matters for this franchise, and no number of regular season games is worth risking a more serious setback for a player they are counting on for years to come.
