Mullins muscles up in Orioles' latest live batting practice (Castillo clears waivers)

SARASOTA, Fla. – Cedric Mullins is healthy. Let’s start there. And he’s putting the barrel on the baseball, which figures to keep happening if he isn’t put on the injured list again.

Mullins was the standout in today’s live batting practice on the Ed Smith Stadium field. He lined a Cole Irvin pitch up the middle in his first trip, nailing the bottom of the screen, squared up another Irvin offering and lined to the shortstop area, and introduced himself to prospect Justin Armbruester with a shot off the top of the scoreboard in right-center field.

That one was epic. He almost cleared it.

Teammates roared in the dugout as Mullins made contact. Mullins began walking toward the bench but turned to check out the flight of the ball and get confirmation on its landing spot.

“I knew that one was gone off the bat,” he said. “Threw me some good pitches, left one hanging, I was able to take advantage of it.

“I did see where it hit off. I looked back and I was like, ‘That dad strength’s kicking in a little bit.’”

That must be it. Credit goes to his two-month-old daughter.

Mullins went on the IL twice last season with right abductor/groin strains. He hit for the cycle on May 12 and was batting .263/.356/.479 with 12 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 13 stolen bases through the first 53 games. However, his poor healthy zapped his strength, speed and any positive numbers he could post.

Mullins slashed .190/.232/.353 after his second return and went 0-for-12 in the Division Series.

“When Ced’s healthy it’s game-changing for us, just what he brings,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “The defense for me is Gold Glove defense in center field. But offensively, the ability to get on base, steal, hit for power. The first couple months last year, he got on base, he scored.

“For me, the kind of player Ced is is how he was the first couple months. Just staying healthy is a huge key.”

Just be the normal version of Mullins. That’s how he’s feeling in camp.

Pitchers today were giving extra “ups” rather than going one inning. Cole Irvin came back out after surrendering a leadoff double to Anthony Santander on a line drive down the left field line, walking Jorge Mateo and getting a called third strike against James McCann. Irvin struck out Austin Hays after returning to the mound, Santander walked and Irvin fielded a scorching one-hopper from Mateo.

Mateo lined a single off Armbruester after fouling off multiple pitches, getting an “atta boy Jorgie” from manager Brandon Hyde, who sat in the stands.

Jackson Holliday had his best at-bat in the two days of live BP when he lined a pitch from pitching prospect Seth Johnson off the center field fence. Holliday also bounced out against Armbruester and struck out against Johnson.

Heston Kjerstad lined a ball hard into center field against Johnson.

* Kaleb Ort worked out with the team after the Orioles acquired him from the Phillies yesterday for cash considerations.

Ort worked on his mechanics during the winter and tried to refine his new cutter.

“Little usage in games but definitely some, so I’m excited to keep working on that and adding that in,” he said. “Just trying to add in some more stuff instead of being so two-pitch, trying to add in that and throwing the changeup a little bit more.”

Ort would like to stick around. The Mariners selected him off waivers in October, the Marlins claimed him in December and the Phillies claimed him a week ago.

“It’s been a roller coaster,” he said. “DFA’d a few times. Yeah, just kind of a roller coaster.”

Ort is happy to be with the Orioles after facing them seven times and registering a 12.86 ERA and 2.286 WHIP in seven innings.

“Everybody knows how good of a team it is and the team camaraderie. It’s just like a big family here it seems like already, so I’m definitely excited for it,” he said.

“Glad to be on this side of the fence now.”

* Kyle Bradish had another round of catch this morning on the stadium field, his third since reporting to camp. He increased the distance to around 90 feet.

* Spring training doesn’t feel official until someone in the media asks about the starter in the first exhibition game. Hyde said it’s too early.

* Infielder/outfielder Diego Castillo cleared outright waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles claimed Castillo from the Phillies on Feb. 16 and designated him for assignment two days later while acquiring left-hander Matt Krook from the Yankees.