Positive updates on Mancini, Mountcastle (game postponed)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde passed along good news this afternoon on Trey Mancini and Ryan Mountcastle, who could be ready to play over the weekend while recovering from their respective injuries.

Mancini left last night's game in the first inning after being hit on the right elbow by Dylan Cease's 95 mph fastball. X-rays and exams were negative and Mancini sustained only a bruise.

"We dodged a bullet with Mancini," Hyde said in his Zoom call with the media. "He's feeling a lot better. Elbow's still sore, but he feels like he should be good to go here in the next day or two, so we're encouraged by that."

Mountcastle has a bruised left hand after being struck Tuesday by a 93 mph fastball from the Twins' José Berríos. His day-to-day status is fading and he's poised to get back on the field.

"Mountcastle's hand is also feeling a lot better today," Hyde said. "He's taking some swings in the cage right now and I'm hoping that he'll potentially be available off the bench tonight and maybe at some point get a start this weekend."

The bench is holding two healthy players with catcher Chance Sisco and infielder Stevie Wilkerson. The Orioles recalled Tyler Nevin from Triple-A Norfolk and he's making his major league debut tonight, starting at first base and batting eighth.

"We thought about numerous moves we could have done, but we decided to give Tyler an opportunity, play first base tonight and see what he can do," Hyde said.

"We discussed a lot of things, but went with Tyler."

Nevin, who turns 24 on Saturday, can play the corner infield and outfield. He's a career .283/.357/.442 hitter in six minor league seasons and was batting .212/.260/.470 with two doubles, five home runs, 11 RBIs and 20 strikeouts in 73 plate appearances with Norfolk.

The Orioles acquired Nevin, infielder Terrin Vavra and outfielder Mishael Deson from the Rockies at the trade deadline for reliever Mychal Givens. Deson was the player to be named later.

Hyde got a good look at Nevin in spring training, where he went 9-for-33 (.273) with a home run and six RBIs. He also knows Nevin's father, Phil, now the Yankees' first base coach.

"I was texting with his dad this afternoon, congratulating him and his family on Tyler making his debut tonight," Hyde said. "He's got some pop and a corner guy that can hit some home runs for you. In spring training, I thought he used the whole field well. Put some powers numbers up on Norfolk.

"Hopefully, against a lefty (Dallas Keuchel) tonight, take some good at-bats and not too anxious making his debut. Looking forward to watching him make his debut tonight."

DJ Stewart is in right field and Ryan McKenna is in left. Anthony Santander is the designated hitter.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Freddy Galvis SS
Anthony Santander DH
Pedro Severino C
Maikel Franco 3B
Pat Valaika 2B
DJ Stewart RF
Tyler Nevin 1B
Ryan McKenna LF

Matt Harvey RHP

Update: Tonight's game has been postponed due to rain. The teams will play a straight doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2:10 p.m. Eastern time.

Both games will be seven innings and the teams can add a 27th player.

Matt Harvey is starting Game 1 and John Means Game 2.