Hyde on missing Saturday game, draft, Yaz (O's lead 9-6)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will miss Saturday afternoon's game in order to attend his step-daughter Aria's high school graduation in Illinois. He's boarding a flight to Chicago in the morning and getting back to Baltimore for Sunday's series finale.

Tim Cossins, field coordinator and catching instructor, will replace Hyde, as he did on April 15 after his close friend was ejected from a game in Boston for arguing the slide rule.

"We've gone over some stuff, and after BP we're going to talk about some other things. And we'll talk in the morning," Hyde said. "I don't know if I've ever missed a game, so it's a little strange, but looking forward to going home to see Aria's graduation.

"This is one of those special things. I saw Torey (Lovullo) missed a game the other night in Arizona. It's a family thing you want to do."

Who replaces Cossins if he's tossed?

"José Hernández. No, I have no idea," Hyde said, laughing. "We probably should talk about that."

Shortly after Hyde finished with the media, it gathered in the home dugout to pepper executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias with questions about the upcoming draft. Hyde mostly stays away from the process, his focus aimed at the players in his clubhouse.

"Not much," he said. "Mike sent me some video on some guys and we talked a little bit in my office about some things, but that's his baby and I don't get involved too heavily there.

"It's important. There's no doubt about it. Every draft is important and Mike's got an amazing track record of having really good drafts. Those type of picks can immediately impact your organization."

Former Orioles farmhand Mike Yastrzemski has made it to Camden Yards, but he's batting second and playing left field for the Giants.

"It was definitely a dream to always be playing here, and I guess it doesn't really matter what side you're playing on. Getting here is still the goal," said Yastrzemski, who's 4-for-18 with his new team.

"The way that it's all unfolded is never something that you could have really predicted. I just got put in a really good situation and got lucky, so just really happy with the way things have turned out."

It's more meaningful to Yastrzemski based on the long road traveled through the minors. The injuries, how his first spring training invite didn't come until this year, and having his Hall of Fame grandfather's last name. The spotlight follows him and can get pretty hot.

"That definitely makes it way more special," he said. "Being able to go through all the adversity and just the ups and downs and times of doubt, it just feels really good to make it. And now to be on the other side of some friendly, familiar faces, it makes it really special to be here."

Former teammates gathered in front of a television in the Coors Field clubhouse to watch his major league debut. Yastrzemski and Trey Mancini used to be roommates.

"Family's been great," he said. "Seeing these guys and hearing stories of Trey and Winny (Austin Wynns) and Wilky (Stevie Wilkerson) watching everything together, it was cool to hear those guys are still in your corner, that you build relationships with for so long. And maybe it may not be this weekend, but they still want you to do well, which is great to feel."

The Orioles traded Yastrzemski, 28, to the Giants on March 23 for pitcher Tyler Herb after he had been reassigned to minor league camp.

One door closed and another swung open.

"It's all a matter of timing," he said. "Getting to the big leagues, yes, it's based on performance, but it's also about getting lucky and having an open spot. From my time with the Orioles, it never really folded in that manner, and there's never been hard feelings. It's just the way the game works. And to be able to be moved to an organization that had a hole that needed to be filled, I'm just happy to get the opportunity."

Hyde described Yastrzemski twice as a "pro."

"I know the guys in our clubhouse love him," Hyde said. "There was a big group of guys watching his first at-bat when we were in Denver. A lot of guys cheering for him in our clubhouse. So I know he's made a positive impact on a lot of people in our clubhouse.

"He didn't start many games. I always had him go in late, and he was very, very appreciative of the opportunity to go to major league camp. He was a great worker and obviously a great guy, so love seeing these types of stories. I think it's awesome that he got an opportunity, got to the big leagues, and hope he does well after this weekend."

Carl Yastrzemski won't be visiting Camden Yards this weekend, but other family members will offer their support.

"He's not much of a traveler," Yastrzemski said, smiling.

Update: Andrew Cashner allowed five runs and five hits with two walks in the top of the first inning, and he threw 46 pitches. Yastrzemski had an RBI triple, though it probably should have been scored a double.

Update II: The Orioles countered with six runs off Drew Pomeranz in the bottom of the first. Renato Núñez and Pedro Severino had RBI singles and Dwight Smith Jr. hit a grand slam. The Giants committed two errors.

Update III: Yastrzemski homered on the first pitch thrown to him in the second to tie the game 6-6.

Update IV: Trey Mancini hit a two-run homer in the second to give the Orioles an 8-6 lead and knock Pomeranz out of the game.

Update V: Núñez hit a 444-foot home run leading off the seventh for a 9-6 lead.