Jorge Mateo made his 108^th start at shortstop last night, his status as the position’s caretaker long ago established.

But what about 2023?

Gunnar Henderson is baseball’s No. 1 or 2 prospect, depending on the rankings, and his debut is coming. He played second base again last night with Triple-A Norfolk, his fifth consecutive game on the right side of the infield, including two at first base. But he’s a shortstop getting his footing at other spots for roster flexibility with the Orioles – if he is, indeed, promoted in 2022.

Beyond that, he’s always been projected as their shortstop unless Jordan Westburg pushed him to third. Or if Joey Ortiz pushed him to third.

It’s never been about Mateo, but now it must be, because, well, look at him.

The Orioles have placed reliever César Valdez on the 10-day injured list with a strained muscle in his lower back and recalled reliever Travis Lakins Sr. from Triple-A Norfolk. Valdez lost his closer's job and is carrying a 5.74 ERA and 1.650 WHIP in 25 appearances and 26 2/3 innings. He surrendered two more runs yesterday in the eighth inning and has allowed six runs and 11 hits this month in only seven innings. The slump has been extensive, with Valdez registering a 1.42 ERA and 1.105...

What about this and what about that? Why is this taking so long, and will that ever happen? And where's Chris Davis? Oh, the questions never stop, which is why mailbags exists. They're also a popular filler for sportswriters - our version of breadcrumbs. Some might call it lazy. Those accusers are driven to another county and pushed out the door. And I'll go the extra mile to find a new movie sequel title. You ask 'em and I answer 'em, and then someone else asks the exact same thing and I...