Orioles get healthier before postseason as Westburg, Urías return

The band is — almost — getting back together.

The Orioles activated infielders Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías on Sunday, adding depth to Baltimore's batting order after both regular starters missed significant chunks of time during the second half of the season. Westburg suffered a broken hand on July 31 and Urías has dealt with a sprained ankle since the end of August.

They were immediately inserted into Baltimore's starting lineup for the final game of a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers. If the Orioles win Sunday and the Seattle Mariners lose to the Texas Rangers, Baltimore can clinch a postseason berth.

To make room for the pair, the Orioles optioned infielder Liván Soto and outfielder Daniel Johnson to Triple-A Norfolk.

Westburg is a key piece of Baltimore's infield. He played nearly every day at second or third base before his injury, and was hitting .269 with an .815 on-base-plus-slugging percentage. He homered Saturday in his third rehab outing.

Urías also homered in one of his rehab games. Before spraining his ankle, Urías was hitting .252 with a .754 OPS.

The Orioles have struggled for much of the second half creating offense, and part of the downturn has coincided with the absences of multiple players, including Heston Kjerstad and Ryan Mountcastle. Kjerstad has since returned from his concussion and Mountcastle (sprained wrist) is still on a rehab assignment with Norfolk.