Franco going to injured list with sprained ankle; Orioles recalling Gutierrez

Maikel Franco is heading to the 10-day injured list with a sprained right ankle, manager Brandon Hyde said on Wednesday.

The third baseman injured his ankle trying to catch a pop fly in foul territory for the final out of the Orioles’ 5-2 win over Houston at Minute Maid Park on June 30. He hasn’t played since. Franco was in the starting lineup for Tuesday night’s game but was a late scratch.

“We’ve been playing with just the infielders who’ve been on the field, so if something happens to one of these guys we have to get creative,” Hyde said. “He’s just not ready to go yet. The ankle is still bothering him.”

Franco is batting .221 with nine home runs and 42 RBIs in 77 games.

The Orioles are recalling third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez from Triple-A Norfolk. Gutierrez was acquired from Kansas City for cash considerations on Saturday.

Gutierrez hit .215 in 38 games with the Royals this season with a home run and eight RBIs. He played in one game for Norfolk, going hitless in four at-bats.

Without Franco, the Orioles have played Pat Valaika at second, Ramón Urias at short and Domingo Leyba at third.

“Leyba’s done a pretty good job over at third base, made some nice plays,” Hyde said. “Ramón and Pat have both been solid. I’m just asking them to make the routine paly and get the balls that they can, and they’ve been doing that for the most part.”

When Gutierrez appears in a game, he’ll be the 46^th player used by the Orioles.