Orioles demote Eloy Jiménez, who was signed at the transfer deadline, to the minor league and bring Ryan Mountcastle back from the IL

The Baltimore Orioles have demoted designated hitter Eloy Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk to make room for Ryan Mountcastle, who was sidelined with a wrist injury sustained during a game on August 22.

They also released reliever Craig Kimbrel, who was scheduled to play last Wednesday.

Jiménez's time in Baltimore lasted just 33 games after he was signed by the Chicago White Sox on July 30. He struggled with the Orioles, posting a .232 batting average with one home run and seven RBIs and striking out 23 times in 95 at-bats.

Jiménez has struggled with injuries throughout his six-year MLB career, including a strained left adductor muscle and a strained left hamstring this season. The 2023 season, in which he batted .272 with 18 home runs and 64 RBIs, was the only time outside of his rookie year that he played in at least 100 games.

Since appearing in 122 games in 2019, Jiménez has played 55, 55, 84, 120 and 98 games in the following seasons.

According to Danielle Allentuck of the Baltimore Banner, the Orioles needed Jiménez's approval to send him to the minor leagues because he had over five years of service time. His contract includes a team option for 2025 worth $16.5 million, but also a $3 million severance package.

Mountcastle has a batting average of .265 with 13 home runs and 61 RBI in 118 games this season.

The Orioles begin a crucial three-game series against the Yankees in New York on Tuesday night.