Lineup changes, switches in designated hitters and more

No matter how the opening day lineup is stacked today, and it should duplicate the one wasted yesterday by the postponement, the Orioles are going to make at least five changes from the 2020 version.

They shouldn't need to wait another day unless the Red Sox determine that the sun is too bright.

José Iglesias won't be batting third and playing shortstop. Renato Núñez won't be batting fourth and serving as designated hitter. Chris Davis won't be playing first base and batting fifth. Hanser Alberto won't be batting sixth and playing second base.

The heart of the order underwent a transplant.

We're assuming that Rio Ruiz won't be playing third base. We know that DJ Stewart won't be in left field and at the bottom of the order.

Maikel Franco has given Ruiz a gentle shove off third base. A strained left hamstring has pushed Stewart to the 10-day injured list.

A team that's torn down and still in the process of a rebuild isn't prone to lineup duplications. The 2019 opener had Dwight Smith Jr. in left field, Jonathan Villar at second base, Joey Rickard in right field, Jesús Sucre behind the plate and Rule 5 selection Richie Martin at shortstop.

Martin is the only player who remains in the organization and he isn't on the major league roster.

Cedric Mullins batted leadoff and played center field in 2019. Austin Hays did it last year in the opener. One of them will be revisiting those duties today.

Sam Horn was the designated hitter from 1990-92 and Harold Baines from 1993-95. And then it's been a succession of non-duplicates, the exception being Delmon Young in 2014-15.

Pick your favorite.

1996 Bobby Bonilla
1997 Brady Anderson
1998 Joe Carter
1999 Jeff Conine
2000 Harold Baines
2001 Chris Richard
2002 David Segui
2003 Marty Cordova
2004 David Segui
2005 Jay Gibbons
2006 Javy Lopez
2007 Kevin Millar
2008 Aubrey Huff
2009 Ty Wigginton
2010 Luke Scott
2011 Vladimir Guerrero
2012 Wilson Betemit
2013 Steve Pearce
2014-15 Delmon Young
2016 Pedro Álvarez
2017 Mark Trumbo
2018 Pedro Álvarez
2019 Trey Mancini
2020 Renato Núñez

The 2021 lineup could have Hays, Mancini, Ryan Mountcastle or Anthony Santander as the DH. They seem to be the four candidates, unless manager Brandon Hyde already chooses to start both catchers.

Hays is a plus defender whose seems miscast as a DH, but he could fill the role on occasion. Mancini is likely to play first base today. I'm going to narrow it down to Mountcastle or Santander and then move on to more important matters.

Nothing is more important to Shawn Armstrong than the birth Wednesday of his son. He tweeted the news, omitting the baby's name but providing some stats - 7 pounds, 4 ounces and 19.75 inches long.

As for kids in the bullpen, how long the Orioles carry Rule 5 picks Mac Sceroler and Tyler Wells will be one of the more interesting follows of the summer. Sceroler hasn't pitched above high Single-A. Wells reached Double-A in 2018 underwent Tommy John surgery and is waiting to make his next appearance in a game.

This is the year to try making it through the required amount of days. The Orioles are carrying 14 pitchers on a 26-man roster. They aren't contending. They love the arms and envision ways to use them.

Will growing pains possibly cost the team a few wins? Maybe. Does it really matter in the grand scheme?

I think you know the answer.

Adam Plutko made the opening day roster, so we know he's really in the organization. The trade was consummated late and he didn't pitch in a game with the Orioles or show up on a Zoom call. But he's real.

We'll judge later whether he's spectacular.

The Orioles would settle for reliable innings eater and starter option.