BALTIMORE — The crowded Yankees infield is probably about to become less packed.

Third baseman Josh Donaldson “likely” will be placed on the injured list, manager Aaron Boone said before the Yankees lost their series-opener to the Orioles, 7-6, at Camden Yards on Friday afternoon.

Donaldson still was in New York after leaving the Yankees’ win over the Phillies in The Bronx on Wednesday after two innings, when he felt his right hamstring tighten as he got to first base on a fly out.

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Boone said the club doesn’t believe the injury is severe, and Donaldson had not been sent for an MRI exam.

“But there’s enough in there that it might knock him down for four or five days,” Boone said. “We’re going to likely be cautious.”

As of early Friday night, the Yankees had not officially placed Donaldson on the IL and wanted to hear how he felt.

Regardless, roster moves were on the way: Righty starter Jhony Brito, who threw five scoreless innings Sunday against the Giants and then was optioned, will be the starting pitcher Saturday, the Yankees announced.

Brito, who was in Baltimore on the taxi squad, will be recalled, which means a pitcher will have to be sent out. The Yankees — who will shift each starter back in the rotation with Brito rejoining the unit — are carrying 13 pitchers, which is the maximum.

Brito would not be allowed to be promoted back to the majors this soon unless an injury occurred, so Donaldson’s status could open that door.

The 37-year-old Donaldson is coming off a down season and has begun this year 2-for-16 with a home run. DJ LeMahieu, who has been a roaming infielder and already has played first, second and third, played third base Friday.

LeMahieu went 1-for-4 with a walk and made a nice diving play to save a run in the second inning.

Boone said LeMahieu likely would get the bulk of starts at third without Donaldson, but utilitymen Oswaldo Cabrera and Isiah Kiner-Falefa could see time at the spot, too.

The Yankees, who have Oswald Peraza beginning the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, are deep with infielders.

If LeMahieu plays the majority of time at third over the next week and a half, Gleyber Torres would play second base, and not DH, more often.