Veteran Infielder Opts Out of Contract with Orioles

Veteran Infielder Opts Out of Contract with Orioles

A seasoned major league player is leaving the Baltimore Orioles to pursue other opportunities.

The Orioles made some moves to finalize their bench by parting ways with veteran infielder Thairo Estrada. On Monday, Estrada opted out of the minor league contract he signed with Baltimore in February, and the team granted him his release. Along with Estrada, catcher Maverick Handley and outfielder Jhonkensy Noel were reassigned to minor league camp, reducing the Orioles’ spring training roster to 39 players (or 37 if you exclude those on the injured list).

Estrada, 30, is looking to continue his big-league career after spending 2025 with the Colorado Rockies. However, his time with Colorado was cut short by injuries, limiting him to just 39 games. His performance was subpar, with a .253/.285/.370 slash line and -2 Defensive Runs Saved at second base. Estrada ended the season with a -0.4 bWAR and opted for free agency after being removed from the Rockies’ roster.

The Orioles took a chance on Estrada, signing him to a minor league deal in February, hoping he could provide infield depth following injuries to Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg. However, Estrada struggled in spring training, going just 2-for-25 (.080) with nine strikeouts and no walks. It became clear he wouldn’t make the Opening Day roster, leading him to opt out and seek other opportunities.

Estrada has spent parts of seven seasons in the majors, including time with the New York Yankees (2019-2020) and the San Francisco Giants (2021-2024). Over his career, he’s posted a .251/.299/.392 slash line, 51 home runs, and 30 Outs Above Average at second base, third base, and shortstop, accumulating 7.6 fWAR.

Orioles’ Bench Competition Moving Forward

With Estrada’s departure, Blaze Alexander is now all but guaranteed the starting second base job, with Coby Mayo likely taking over at third base, filling in for the injured Holliday and Westburg.

The final spots on the bench are still up for grabs. First baseman/DH Ryan Mountcastle is expected to claim one spot, leaving outfielder Weston Wilson, third baseman Bryan Ramos, and utility player Jeremiah Jackson vying for the remaining spots. All three have impressed during spring training, though Jackson may have the edge thanks to his positional flexibility and solid performance with the team last season, where he hit .276/.328/.447 in 48 games in 2025.

Utility infielder Luis Vázquez was also in the running for a bench spot but is now out of the competition after breaking his right thumb from a hit-by-pitch on Sunday.