Orioles pregame notes on Mountcastle, Mullins, Rutschman, Rodriguez and more

BOSTON – While the Orioles are getting closer to reinstating some pitching from the injured list, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle’s status remains cloaked in uncertainty.

Mountcastle is out with a sprained left wrist and hasn’t played since Aug. 22. The last update didn’t have him hitting in the cage and doing full baseball activities.

Manager Brandon Hyde’s optimism in getting back Mountcastle for the final playoff push also is murky.

“I don’t know, I don’t know,” he said this afternoon. “I want to say it’s optimistic, but I’m not really sure. I think he’s gonna come back by the end of the regular season, I just don’t know when.”

The offense must get hot without him.

Hyde adjusted his lineup again today by moving up Cedric Mullins to second in the order for only the second time in the center fielder’s career. Mullins is hitting .283/.404/.487 in 44 games since the break and is 10-for-24 this month with a double and two home runs.

“You look at his numbers the last couple weeks and he’s taking good at-bats and he’s getting on base,” Hyde said. “By shaking it up a little bit and putting him up at the top, I’m just hoping he gets on base and can create some runs with his legs. Hopefully get in scoring position for guys who hit behind him.

“I like the at-bats he’s taking, I love the fact that he went two-strike, put the ball in play (yesterday). That’s something we have to do a better job of as a club is to be able to stay on baseballs with two strikes, be able to stay closed and stay through the ball. And Ced did that yesterday a couple times. He’s taken some walks, too, so hopefully he can end the season the way he’s swung the bat the last couple weeks.”

Mullins was the long-time leadoff hitter who’s slid down the order due to injuries and declining production since his historic 30/30 season in 2021. Batting second tonight is a nice vote of confidence from his manager.

“Just been trying to get to that spot in terms of the numbers, in terms of showing my progression during the season,” Mullins said. “At the same time, it’s mixing things up a little bit for guys who might be struggling at the time. I never know if it sticks or if it’s going to change. That’s not up for me to decide. But I do look forward to contributing there.”

The turnaround since the break can be attributed to multiple factors.

“Probably a lot to do with rhythm,” he said. “I think the rhythm at the plate is better. Confidence is definitely there. Not trying to do too much, which is leading to a lot of good results, and taking my walks along the way.”

Being healthy also is going to improve Mullins’ chances of busting out. He went on the injured list twice with adductor/groin strains.

“Yeah, 100 percent,” he said. “Just able to be myself out there, firing off on all cylinders. I know when I’m able to do that, I’m able to do some great things.”

Mullins can’t try to duplicate 2021. It’s a losing battle to reach or clear that bar.

“I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season,” he said. “That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I’m putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I’m no longer chasing that guy. I’m just being who I am.”

Adley Rutschman is batting fifth tonight for the 10^th time this season. The All-Star catcher hit .276 with 16 home runs and a .780 OPS in the first half but is batting .197 with two home runs since the break. He's 4-for-23 this month.

‘We’re just trying to get him back on track, so I’m trying to mix things up for him, let him see a few guys before him until he gets back to being the kind of player we know he is, which is what he was like in the first half and all last year,” Hyde said.

“Just going through a tough time right now, so just mixing it up a little bit for him.”

* Jacob Webb resumes his rehab assignment Tuesday night with Triple-A Norfolk, which plays in Durham. Danny Coulombe begins his assignment the following night.

Meanwhile, Grayson Rodriguez is throwing in the bullpen and nearing live batting practice sessions and his own assignment.

“We’re hoping maybe sometime this road trip,” Hyde said.

* Gunnar Henderson was selected as the American League’s Player of the Week for the second time in his career. He also received the honor on June 12, 2023 on his way to the Rookie of the Year award.

Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg were back-to-back recipients in April 2024.

Henderson went 10-for-24 (.417) with a double, three homers, five RBIs, three walks, six runs scored, two stolen bases, a .464 on-base percentage and an .833 slugging percentage in six games.