Orioles’ Tim Beckham likely out 6-7 weeks

Orioles infielder Tim Beckham has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a groin strain, per a club announcement Wednesday, and he’s likely to have core surgery that will keep him out for six to seven weeks, perhaps soon as Thursday, according to The Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo Encina.

Beckham, 28, has served as the Orioles’ starting third baseman for most of the season, taking over at the hot corner after Manny Machado asked to move to shortstop for his final year under contract with Baltimore. Beckham has also seen some action at second base since starter Jonathan Schoop went on the DL with an oblique strain 11 days ago, though Luis Sardinas has received the majority of the starts at that position since Schoop’s injury. In 93 plate appearances this season, Beckham — a notoriously streaky hitter throughout his career — has posted an unimpressive .179/.247/.262 slash line. He’s certainly not alone in coming out of the gates slowly; the only two Orioles players with an OPS+ above the league-average 100 entering Wednesday’s game were Machado and Trey Mancini.

With Beckham out, the Orioles are expected to lean on veteran utility player Danny Valencia at third, though he’ll have to improve on the .152/.282/.394 slash line he’s posted so far this season. With waiver pick-up Jace Peterson likely to receive the majority of the starts at second until Schoop returns following his addition to the roster on Wednesday, Sardinas could also become a candidate to see time at third. Peterson also has big-league experience at third and could be a fit there once Schoop returns.