Nobody ever wants to see a player lose a job due to injury. Richie Martin was never going to be the Orioles’ starting shortstop this season, but the 26-year-old figured to have a say in Baltimore’s utility competition prior to another costly injury.
The Orioles looked outside the organization for a starting shortstop after dealing former number three hitter José Iglesias last December. Baltimore filled that need by signing Freddy Galvis to a one-year deal, and addressed utility depth by bringing back Pat Valaika, Ramón Urías and Stevie Wilkerson.
Still, the door is always open for a former first-round draft choice that has the ability to play shortstop.