Orioles’ Jorge Mateo in concussion protocol after accidental hit to head in Sunday’s loss vs. Rays

Jorge Mateo was accidentally struck on the back of his helmet by the bat of teammate Cedric Mullins as they warmed up to bat in the 4th inning.

Orioles second baseman Jorge Mateo is in MLB’s concussion protocol after exiting Sunday’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fourth inning with a head injury, manager Brandon Hyde said.

Mateo was accidentally struck on the back of his helmet by the bat of teammate Cedric Mullins as the pair of Orioles hitters prepared to bat in the bottom of the fourth at Camden Yards.

“We’re just waiting to see,” Hyde said after the 4-3 loss. “He’s going to get some more tests and then we’re going to see how he feels tomorrow.”

Mullins, who was up first to begin the inning, was standing near the on-deck circle watching as Rays right-hander Zack Littell warmed up. Mateo, the Orioles’ second baseman and No. 8 hitter Sunday, reached for something on the ground near Mullins’ feet. Unaware Mateo was underneath him, Mullins flicked his bat downward as he watched Littell, and the center fielder’s bat struck the back of Mateo’s helmet.

“I was getting loose with kind of like a circle stretch, pretty normal stuff,” Mullins said. “And he was right behind me. I didn’t see him.”

Mullins said he saw Mateo in the clubhouse kitchen after the game and that his teammate “seems to be doing OK.”

Here’s what happened to Mateo… pic.twitter.com/AJu65r9EWK

— Jason Benowitz (@jbenowitz1831) June 2, 2024

Mateo, who has become the Orioles’ near-everyday second baseman, was 1-for-1 with an infield single. Manager Brandon Hyde pinch hit Ramón Urías for Mateo, moving Jordan Westburg to second base and putting Urías at third. Mateo was instrumental to the team’s 3-1 win Friday, lining a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth. He struggled at the plate over the final five months of 2023, but he’s been more consistent this year while also providing stellar defense at second base and elite speed.

It’s unclear if Mateo will miss any time, but MLB does have a 7-day injured list for players experiencing concussion symptoms. If he does, the Orioles have several infielders waiting in Triple-A, including top prospect Jackson Holliday, Baltimore’s No. 5 prospect Connor Norby, veteran Nick Maton and utilityman Terrin Vavra. Third base prospect Coby Mayo is on the IL with a fractured rib.