SARASOTA, Fla. — Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins expects to return to the lineup next week after leaving Monday’s game with a sore right hamstring.
Mullins underwent an MRI that came back “clear,” eliminating any concerns about an extended absence.
“Much like what I expected,” he said this morning. “I felt like cramping so we turned it off just to be safe. … What I thought was actually what happened, so it’s a matter of working out the tightness.
“We’ll probably slow it down a little bit, but I expect to be back playing sometime next week.” Very soon.”
Austin Hayes is in center field for tonight’s game against the Pirates in Sarasota. Mullins is 2-for-9 with four walks and a stolen base in 13 plate appearances.
Opening Day isn’t until March 28, which gives Mullins plenty of time to prepare for the start of the season.
“Yes, 100 percent,” he said. “Swing feels good, I feel like I’ve had good fights. Once I get the green, I’ll go back to living in the back fields and stuff like that. I feel like I’m picking up a lot of fights, I still have a lot of time left.”
Mullins went on the disabled list twice last season with adductor/groin strains, but he knew Monday after reaching second base that the discomfort was unrelated or recurring.
“I had a strong feeling it wasn’t that big of a deal,” he said. “I feel like other injuries in the past have had some form of lead or build up. That wasn’t it. After what felt like one of the hottest days we’ve had this spring, I did a decent amount of work beforehand to get ready, just trying to get my work in. Maybe I overexerted myself a bit, which led to dehydration.”
Manager Brandon Hyde said he is “hopeful” Mullins will play next week.
“We’re definitely going to take it slow with him and not rush him back,” Hyde said, “but he’s getting a little better every day and we just want to be careful with him.”
Other Orioles pitchers listed behind starter Julio Teheran tonight include Bruce Zimmerman, Mike Baumann, Nick Vespi, Dylan Tate and Jonathan Heasley. Aroldis Chapman will pitch tonight for the Pirates behind starter Mitch Keller.
Extras from the minor league camp included pitchers Dylan Hyde, Ryan Hennen, Cade Stroud, Houston Roth and Ryan Watson, as well as infielders Greg Cullen and Anthony Servideo.
The Orioles rest Thursday and Grayson Rodriguez starts Friday night against the Tigers in Sarasota.
Hyde did not specify when the club would make the first round of camp cuts, predicting “in the next week or two.”
Former Orioles Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are at the camp as instructors. Hyde introduced Wieters to the team earlier today. The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner was at the complex yesterday as the Orioles played the Phillies in Clearwater.
“I’ve never met him. I was just on the other side of the dugout from him,” Hyde said.
“He was so impressive as a player and he just wanted to say hello. I’m so glad he’s here. He told the boys nicely how he looks at us and how happy he is for us. We had a great group of graduates this year, so it’s an honor to have all these guys.”
The Orioles announced that right-hander Reese Sharp, 20th-2022 pick out of Indiana University had successful Tommy John surgery earlier today in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Keith Meister handled the procedure.
Sharp posted a combined 3.83 ERA and 1.500 WHIP with four saves last year in 31 relief appearances between Single-A Delmarva (nine games) and High-A Aberdeen (22). He averaged 7.3 walks and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings.
The tarp is on the field at Ed Smith Stadium and the rain continues to fall, but the forecast calls for clearing by 6pm. It keeps changing.
