For the third straight game, Trey Mancini and Ramón Urías are not in the starting lineup. Manager Brandon Hyde said neither are ready to play.
After Monday’s game, Hyde said Mancini was out with “general soreness,” and Urías’ upper leg injury continues to nag.
“Trey’s is in the oblique area, so you have to be careful with it,” Hyde said. “We talk every day and the right thing to do for him is to let it rest. I give him a ton of credit. He stayed in [Sunday’s] game in New York. He did it on his first swing in the last game in New York and he knew how short we were on the bench.
“We were super close to having [Ryan] McKenna play second base and [Kelvin] Gutiérrez playing first base with the lead in New York, so for him to stay in the ballgame…Fortunately, he walked a couple of times after that to not make it worse. We talk every day, and right now, it’s not ready for him to start the game.”
Without Urías, Gutiérrez is playing third, Jorge Mateo is at shortstop and Jahmai Jones is at second base.
“Ramón’s been dealing with his leg for a couple of months now,” Hyde said. “It just kind of grabbed on him in New York. It’s still a little bit sore. We’ll see how it is tomorrow.”
The infield alignment is certainly a surprise to Hyde.
“If you asked in spring training what our infield was going to look like in September, I don’t think you were going to see Gutiérrez, Mateo, Jones and [Ryan] Mountcastle at first,” Hyde said.
Even with a 28-man roster, the Orioles don’t have an extra infielder.
“We’re giving guys, like we have for a few years now an opportunity to see if they can solidify themselves and be a big league player,” Hyde said. “Mateo’s opening eyes right now. He’s playing banged up, too. You saw him swing the bat gingerly in New York. He’s not running 100 percent. Give him credit for sticking it out and wanting to be in the lineup and trying to play with not feeling great.
“We’re giving Jam Jones an opportunity, see what he can do. The same with Gutiérrez as well with others. Hopefully these guys can stick in the big leagues.”
Rookie starters galore: Matt Harvey is starting Wednesday’s game, and he’s the first veteran to start since Friday night.
Chris Ellis, Keegan Akin, Zac Lowther and Alexander Wells started in succession, and according to STATS, it was the first time the Orioles had a winning record (3-1) in games started by four or more rookies.
The team record for most consecutive games started by rookies is seven from September 21-27, 2008. The Orioles were 1-6 in those games.
Hyde said that he is looking to pitch Mike Baumann, who got the win in his major league debut on Tuesday, in bulk relief again. Baumann allowed an unearned run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings after he entered the game in the fifth behind Wells.
“We’re going to do an extended bullpen appearance and bring him in after a clean inning and give us some innings out of the pen that way,” Hyde said.
Hyde said that he doesn’t know if Wells will stay in the rotation or go into the bullpen.
The Orioles will need an extra starter for Saturday’s doubleheader with Toronto and can add a 29th player.
Hyde says he’s not sure if the team will bring up a starter for the doubleheader or if will come from a pitcher currently on the team.
Waiting on Hunter Harvey: The Orioles moved right-hander Hunter Harvey from the 10-day to 60-day injured list on Tuesday. Harvey, who was originally on the IL with a strained right lat is now sidelined with a right triceps strain.
Hyde said that Harvey, who’s at Triple-A Norfolk, is not necessarily done pitching in 2021.
“I don’t know if it’s season-ending or not,” Hyde said. “I think he’s playing catch today, and if that goes well, maybe a side after that and back into game action. It’s just reevaluating him, reevaluating him after he plays catch.”
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