Hyde explains why Davis is sitting again (tied 1-1)

Chris Davis remains out of the Orioles lineup tonight for the second straight game with the Royals sending a right-hander to the mound.

He also could sit Wednesday night against left-hander Mike Montgomery.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the lineup isn't influenced by Davis' health. The veteran isn't injured or ailing. Hyde wants to play Trey Mancini at first base and give him a break from the outfield.

"He's fine," Hyde said. "I just wanted Trey to play first base again and it's nothing more than Trey not playing the outfield and trying to give him a little bit of a breather and playing first base."

DJ Stewart is in right field tonight while Mancini stays in the infield.

Davis is batting .179/.270/.312 with eight doubles, nine home runs, 32 RBIs, 31 walks and 121 strikeouts in 300 plate appearances. He's 2-for-24 with 14 strikeouts in his last 10 games.

"C.D.'s fine and will be in there soon," Hyde said. "It's all about Trey with that decision."

Whether "soon" means the following series against the Rays will be known Wednesday.

Dwight Smith Jr. (left calf strain) is the designated hitter again tonight at Triple-A Norfolk after collecting three hits last night to begin his injury rehab assignment. He's going to play in the outfield on Wednesday.

"Things went well last night," Hyde said. "Sounds like there were no problems at all and came out healthy."

Hyde said he still anticipates having Mark Trumbo on the expanded September roster.

"We're hoping," Hyde said. "He's doing all baseball activities right now. Kind of gearing him up for that September, hopefully activating him in September and hoping there's no setbacks. Probably have to send him out to play some games prior to that, but as of right now everything's on track. Hopefully, Mark can join us in September."

Hyde wants to stay with five starters in his rotation if possible, but the expanded roster and other factors could influence changes.

"I don't think so, but anything can happen with the way our pitching is. I don't want to predict anything," Hyde said.

"I'm not planning on it. I hope that these five guys throw the ball well and we end the season with them, but you never know, especially in September when that sixth month of the season can get to guys, so we'll see."

Hyde was happy to learn earlier today that catcher Adley Rutschman is reporting to Single-A Delmarva after going 5-for-5 last night with a home run and three-run triple at short-season Single-A Aberdeen.

"It sounds like he had a good night last night," Hyde said. "They're rolling into their All-Star break, so found out today he's being promoted and it's a good thing."

Pitcher Tom Eshelman is back on Norfolk's roster after being optioned and catcher Austin Wynns returned after the Orioles put him on the taxi squad. Catcher Pedro Perez was placed on injured list and pitcher Chandler Shepherd on the temporarily inactive list.

Shameless plug alert: I'm appearing on "O's Xtra" at 6:30 p.m. on MASN2.

Update: A sacrifice fly by Meibrys Viloria in the second inning gave the Royals a 1-0 lead.

Update II: Singles in the seventh by Jace Peterson, DJ Stewart and Rio Ruiz off left-hander Richard Lovelady tied the game.