Orioles pregame notes on Kimbrel, Bradish and Means returns, Kjerstad and more

Craig Kimbrel is feeling much better after leaving Sunday’s game against Oakland with tightness in his upper back. However, his availability for tonight remains in question.

Manager Brandon Hyde couldn’t provide much of an update during his media session.

“Not really sure,” Hyde said. “He’s going through some treatment stuff right now and then I’m going to talk to him here in a little bit. But as of right now at 3:42, I’m not really sure.”

Kimbrel did some stretching exercises on the field, played catch and had an extensive bullpen session. He appeared to be throwing with maximum effort.

Hyde is going with a closer by committee during Kimbrel’s absence, with Danny Coulombe getting the last three outs last night for his third career save.

Coulombe and Yennier Cano have worked on back-to-back nights and in four of the last six games, and they likely aren’t available tonight.

Kyle Bradish and John Means will be activated from the injured list later this week. The Orioles are calling Thursday’s starter TBA.

Asked if he has concrete plans for them, Hyde said, “Yeah. I’m not going to announce those yet, though.”

Never hurts to ask.

Heston Kjerstad was recalled a week ago but has accumulated only five plate appearances in two games. He’s cracked the lineup once, going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Anaheim.

“It’s just kind of the way it’s gone, honestly,” Hyde said. “Kind of how our outfield mix is right now. Looking to try to get him in there soon.

“Heston’s been ready to pinch-hit or been on deck a few times in a couple of the games, late in the game. Love the power potential that he has. He can change the game with one swing, he can help us out off the bench on the days he’s not playing. But I’ve got a pretty good club right now, and so I’m trying to mix him in when I can.”

Double-A Bowie’s Samuel Basallo, the No. 2 prospect in the system and No. 16 in baseball, per MLB Pipeline, is catching tonight for the first time.

Basallo has recovered from a stress fracture in his right elbow.

For the Yankees

Anthony Volpe SS
Juan Soto RF
Aaron Judge LF
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Anthony Rizzo 1B
Gleyber Torres 2B
Austin Wells C
Oswaldo Cabrera 3B
Trent Grisham CF

Nestor Cortes LHP