Araúz in lineup, Odor's back improving, taxi squad additions, and more

CHICAGO – Some of the Orioles are playing catch on the field in a light rain. They’ll have to wait for first pitch, however.

Both teams have been informed that today’s game will begin in a delay, with the start time closer to 2 p.m. local time.

Jonathan Araúz is starting at second base today in his Orioles debut. He was a waiver claim from the Red Sox and had to stay in the minors a minimum of 10 days after being optioned.

The infield needed more versatility with Rougned Odor receiving treatment for back soreness and Ramón Urías on the injured list with a left oblique strain.

“It’s a guy that can play multiple positions,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “We’re a little banged up here with Roogie, Ramón’s still out. So, a guy that can play three spots in the infield, another left-handed bat, which we don’t have many of. It’s just a versatile guy that we’ll take a look at.”

Araúz, a native of Panama, appeared in six games with the Red Sox and went 0-for-10. He spent parts of three seasons with them before the Orioles made the June 15 waiver claim.

“First of all, I’m very thankful for the Baltimore Orioles organization for the opportunity, and then it’s my job to take advantage of it,” he said via interpreter Ramón Alarcón.

“What I really want to do is play my game. Get on base, play good defense, improve my hitting, so that I can help the team on the offensive side of things.”

Araúz had to wait for his next chance. He went 5-for-11 with a double and four RBIs with Triple-A Norfolk.

“I always had the expectation of it,” he said. “I was hoping a team would claim me and call me up at some point. Sometimes, I was a little hesitant, like 3-2 (count). You really don’t know what’s going to happen. But I’m glad that it happened.

“I always kept it calm and collected, tried to spend time with my hitting coach so that I can improve on that. Spending time with my family, with my wife. And always with the hope that at some point I was going to get called up.”

Odor hasn’t played since pinch-hitting Wednesday and feeling pain in his back on a swing. He’s available off the bench.

“It’s been bothering me a little bit,” he said, “but it’s nothing crazy.”

Hyde doesn’t know whether Urías will be ready for the next homestand. The Orioles travel to Seattle and Minnesota after Sunday’s series finale.

“He’s going to continue to take ground balls,” Hyde said. “I think the hitting progression is going fairly well. But the obliques are so tricky and you just never know if there’s going to be a setback or not, or if it’s going to be sore the next day.”

Catcher Adley Rutschman and outfielder Anthony Santander aren’t in the lineup for a day game following a night game, but they could play later.

Catcher Cody Roberts has joined the Orioles on the taxi squad, bringing the total to three with reliever Marcos Diplán and infielder Rylan Bannon.

Spenser Watkins makes his first Orioles start since leaving the injured list and will be on a pitch count.

“I think the best-case scenario would be in the 85-pitch range if all goes great,” Hyde said. “Hopefully, he can work ahead in the count and pitch against a good lineup and give us some innings.”

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini 1B
Austin Hays RF
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Ryan McKenna LF
Tyler Nevin 3B
Robinson Chirinos C
Jonathan Araúz 2B
Jorge Mateo SS

Spenser Watkins RHP

For the White Sox
Lenyn Sosa 2B
Andrew Vaughn DH
Luis Robert CF
José Abreu 1B
AJ Pollock LF
Gavin Sheets RF
Jake Burger 3B
Leury Garcia SS
Reese McGuire C

Lance Lynn RHP