In an unfortunate turn of events during Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson was forced to exit the matchup early due to lower back discomfort. Henderson had previously dealt with back issues earlier in the season, which caused him to miss two games in June.
The rookie shortstop has been an essential contributor to the Orioles’ lineup this season, impressing fans and analysts alike with his impressive performance over 90 games.
![march madness logo](http://staticg.sportskeeda.com/skm/assets/march-madness-logo.png)
With a batting line of .244/.340/.472, Henderson has showcased his power, hitting 16 home runs, as well as his ability to get on base and drive in runs with 54 runs scored and 43 RBIs. Additionally, he has showcased his speed on the base paths, stealing five bases so far.
The extent of Henderson’s injury remains uncertain at this point, and he is currently listed as day-to-day. The Orioles and fantasy managers will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on updates regarding his condition and availability for future games.
Who is expected to replace Gunnar Henderson?
In the absence of Henderson, the Baltimore Orioles are likely to turn to Jorge Mateo to fill the void at shortstop. While Mateo has struggled at the plate, hitting only .212 with six home runs, he has been a valuable source of stolen bases, swiping an impressive 23 bags across 84 games this season.
![Jorge Mateo is expected to replace Gunnar Henderson at shortstop during his absense.](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2023/07/b824f-16903398804107-1920.jpg 1920w)
Henderson’s 2023 regular-season statistics showcase his impact on the team. In 311 at-bats, he has notched 75 hits, including 16 home runs, and 43 RBIs. His batting average currently stands at .241, with an OBP of .336 and an OPS of .802.
As the Orioles move forward in their successful campaign, they will be hoping for a swift recovery for Gunnar Henderson. The young shortstop’s talent and contributions have him fighting for the AL Rookie of the Year.
MORE ON THE BALTIMORE ORIOLES:
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- New York Yankees fans agitated as team is 21-28 with Aaron Judge on the IL: "No way should your baseball team be that bad if 1 guy gets hurt"
- Baltimore Orioles fans amazed as Gunnar Henderson makes incredible play at third: "He's made the best play I've ever seen like 4 days in a row now"
- Francisco Mejia Injury Update: Health status and expected recovery period for Rays catcher placed on IL