ANAHEIM, Calif. — Orioles infielder Blaze Alexander, who was enjoying the best stretch of his young career, was removed from Monday’s game against the Angels with right knee discomfort.

It’s unclear what occurred, but cameras from Mid-Atlantic Sports Network showed Alexander in the dugout struggling to put any weight on his right leg. During his earlier at-bat in the second, Alexander fouled a ball off his leg. But he returned to play third base in the bottom of the second.

Alexander was lifted from the game in the third. That’s when Baltimore put outfielder Leody Taveras at the hot corner, a position he has never played before.

Infielder Jackson Holliday is dealing with a tight groin, and he’s apparently unavailable Monday. Infielder Coby Mayo is the designated hitter, and to move him into the field would require the Orioles to burn the DH role and have a pitcher hit for the rest of the game. The other bench pieces are catchers Samuel Basallo and Chadwick Tromp.

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That, apparently, left Taveras as the most suitable option. And of course, a ball immediately found him. Jose Siri hit a ground ball to third. Taveras gloved it, and while his throw to first bounced, Pete Alonso successfully scooped it.

This is Taveras’ first time playing the infield at any level of professional baseball.

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A serious injury for Alexander would be the worst possible timing for the Orioles and the player. Alexander is hitting .310 with an .804 OPS this year. He can play multiple positions in the infield and outfield.

The Orioles have utility infielder Luis Vázquez in Anaheim on the taxi squad, so he’d be the most logical replacement.

Between innings, Alonso was seen helping Taveras on his throwing motion. An before each new batter, infield coach Miguel Cairo helped Taveras position himself.