The Baltimore Orioles optioned Eloy Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk and reinstated infielder Ryan Mountcastle from the 10-day injured list, the club announced Tuesday.
Mountcastle has been sidelined since late August with a sprained left wrist. The 27-year-old has hit 13 home runs with 61 RBIs and a .730 OPS in 452 at-bats this season.
Jiménez has struggled since the Orioles acquired him from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline. The 27-year-old is slashing .232/.270/.316 with one home run, five doubles, and seven RBIs in 33 games with the Orioles.
Because of his service time, Jiménez could have rejected the option. He decided to accept it and will remain in the organization.
— Danielle Allentuck (@d_allentuck) September 24, 2024
He does have a $16.5 million team option for next year that includes a $3 million buyout
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Jiménez struggled serving in a platoon/pinch-hit role, and he wanted the roster to be more versatile, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill.
The Orioles hold a $16.5-million club option on Jiménez for the 2025 season and an $18.5-million option for 2026 as part of a six-year extension he signed with the White Sox.
