The Orioles can’t keep playing with a small bench. They can’t keep waiting for Ryan Mountcastle’s status to change from day to day.

Even in 2024 they will not be able to maintain their good performance.

Mountcastle was placed on the 10-day injured list this afternoon, retroactive to Friday, with a sprained left wrist. Infielder Livan Soto was recalled again from Triple-A Norfolk.

The injury occurred Thursday night in a game against the Astros after Mountcastle slid headfirst into second base on a double in the second inning. He was replaced in the ninth inning and did not play in the next three games.

Mountcastle cannot return until September 2 at the earliest, one day after the roster is expanded to 28 players.

Ryan O’Hearn should do most of the work at first base, and it helps that the Dodgers start three right-handers in the series that begins Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Right-hander Emmanuel Rivera started at first base yesterday against left-hander Yusei Kikuchi of Houston.

Mountcastle has a batting average of .265/.305/.425 in 118 games. This month, he has a batting average of .225/.257/.310, but has had four multi-hit games since Aug. 10, when he went 3-for-5 with three RBIs at Tropicana Field.

The power is missing, Mountcastle’s last home run fell on July 29th.

The injured list is growing. Zach Eflin is cleared to return a day before Mountcastle, but Grayson Rodriguez, Danny Coulombe and Jordan Westburg are not expected back until much later in September. Jacob Webb is also out, and the Orioles have not yet decided whether Jorge Mateo will need surgery on his left elbow.

An offense that has allowed three or fewer hits in four of its last eight games cannot afford to lose a batter in the middle of the batting order.

Cedric Mullins is suffering from a day-to-day strain in his left quadriceps that forced him to sit out Friday night’s game. He took part in batting practice yesterday afternoon but was unable to play, leaving manager Brandon Hyde with only two substitutes.

Soto gives the Orioles a left-handed bat against the Dodgers and some defensive versatility if he ever gets into a game. Despite several appearances, he has yet to make his Orioles debut.

The Orioles also announced today that they have released Norfolk relief pitcher Nick Avila after designating him for new assignment last week.

Avila played three games with the Tides after being activated from the injured list, allowing ten runs and nine hits in 1 1/3 innings.