Orioles and Tigers lineups (and more)

Adley Rutschman is rewarded for yesterday's double, the Orioles' only hit in Dunedin, with a start today as the designated hitter against the Tigers in Lakeland.

Rutschman is batting seventh, one spot ahead of Ryan McKenna, who gets the start in center field.

Austin Wynns is behind the plate. Yolmer Sánchez is leading off.

Ryan Mountcastle is in left field.

Dean Kremer is making his third start after allowing three runs and walking three batters in 4 2/3 innings. He tossed three scoreless innings with only one hit allowed Tuesday against the Twins in Fort Myers.

Listed relievers include Bruce Zimmermann, Travis Lakins Sr., Thomas Eshelman, Mickey Jannis and Jay Flaa. The travel roster includes catcher Maverick Handley, infielders Jahmai Jones, Rylan Bannon, Tyler Nevin and Jordan Westburg and outfielder Yusniel Diaz.

Matt Harvey starts Monday against the Pirates and Félix Hernández starts Tuesday versus the Rays in Port Charlotte.

The Tigers are starting right-hander Spencer Turnbull, a second-round pick in the 2014 draft out of the University of Alabama who has allowed four runs in five innings in his two spring appearances. He's 7-23 with a 4.55 ERA and 1.401 WHIP and only 17 home runs surrendered in 45 major league games covering 221 1/3 innings.

Stevie Wilkerson is starting at first base today. He's in the group of players who are trying to heat up at the plate, going 2-for-17 with six strikeouts in 11 games.

"Actually, I don't think the numbers indicate how I am feeling," Wilkerson, who missed the 2020 season with a fractured left ring finger, said this morning in a Zoom call.

"Early on, I think, getting back into the speed of the game and just putting myself in game mode took a little bit, took a few ABs. It was a little bit timid here and there, felt like it had been as long as it had been since I faced another team, but right now I actually feel really good, really comfortable on each side of the plate. I haven't gotten a ton of at-bats and a ton of consistency, but all things considered, I like where I'm at right now."

Wilkerson's injury occurred while diving for a fly ball in right field in a summer training camp exhibition game in Philadelphia. He re-signed as a minor league free agent.

"The rehab process without there being a rush to get back to the field, I think we probably took another two weeks or so to make sure everything was fine because we weren't in a rush," he said. "All in all, it was probably about eight or nine weeks before I was really feeling like I could pick up the bat and hit 100 (pitches). I think in a normal season maybe closer to seven, eight weeks, but a little thing like that was still definitely significant."

The Orioles could keep two super-utility players. Wilkerson surveys the field and notices Pat Valaika and Ramón Urías, who are in today's lineup. He can read the room. Those guys used 2020 to dig in a little deeper on the roster.

"I would like to think everyone does that," he said. "You kind of look at the roster, and for me it's really like, I look at it and say, 'Where do I think I can help this team the most?' And I would think that evaluators probably do the same thing. It's not like, 'Hey, this is my guy, it's me versus him,' necessarily. But you certainly look and check personnel and run through scenarios in your head and see, 'Hey, if this happens, maybe my role will be this. If this happens, my role will be this.' And so on and so forth.

"At the same time it's all about just putting your best foot forward and playing your best ball."

Wilkerson probably needs to put both feet at the shortstop position and prove to the Orioles that he can cover the ground. No super-utility player can exist without the trust in his ability to sub there.

"It's definitely important to be able to play shortstop," he said. "Most people would tell you it's the most difficult position to play on the field. The fewest amount of people can do it. I think I can play shortstop, I feel comfortable over there. I've taken a lot of reps in practice over there. In summer camp last year, when we were having a tough time putting nine guys on the field on each side to play each other, I played some shortstop there, too. I think if you're taking about a utility guy, he needs to be able to play every position, so yeah, shortstop is just one of those and I think they're all important to be able to fill in at."

The Orioles won't need Wilkerson in the outfield unless there's a batch of injuries or some oddity in the game. He made 72 appearances in center in 2019.

"I've always loved playing the infield," he said. "Infield defense is originally what got me to the big leagues. In the minor leagues when I was scuffling with the bat a little bit here and there, it was definitely my infield defense that kept me around long enough for my bat to catch up, so it feels good to be back in the infield, but I certainly take pride in being ready to play any position at any time - infield, outfield.

"I think if you look at our outfield, it's a pretty impressive group, so obviously I'm going to be in the dirt a little bit more. Those guys are dang good players. But yeah, I love playing anywhere out there, but it's nice to feel like it's more of a true utility role - infield, outfield, everything."

Today's game is nine innings.

Former Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop is making his Tigers debut today as the designated hitter.

For the Orioles
Yolmer Sánchez 2B
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Pat Valaika SS
Ramón Urías 3B
Stevie Wilkerson 1B
Adley Rutschman DH
Ryan McKenna CF
Austin Wynns C

Dean Kremer RHP

For the Tigers
Robbie Grossman RF
Jeimer Candelario 3B
Miguel Cabrera 1B
Jonathan Schoop DH
Niko Goodrum SS
Wilson Ramos C
Victor Reyes CF
Bryan Garcia 2B
JaCoby Jones LF

Spencer Turnball RHP