Pregame Orioles notes on Mullins, Means, Givens, Webb and upcoming rotation

Center fielder Cedric Mullins could rejoin the Orioles for the start of their three-city West Coast trip.

The Orioles play a weekend series in Seattle before flying to San Diego and Oakland.

Mullins will stay with Double-A Bowie tonight for a fourth game. He’s 3-for-15 with the Baysox.

A second groin injury for Mullins this season is forcing the Orioles to be more careful with the workload. Perhaps ease him back into his usual role, seek more rest days.

“This last one was a little different in that, it started in a different spot and then it kind of moved,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Definitely want to keep him as healthy as I possibly can. So, probably talking to him every day, day games after night games, things like that. Might have to give him some rest to make sure he’s fresh.

“I don’t want to hurt him. We need him, so try to keep him as healthy as I can.”

Outfielder Aaron Hicks will play twice with Norfolk in Jacksonville and meet the Orioles in San Diego.

The Orioles are putting their band of outfielders back together.

John Means is pitching for Bowie Thursday to start his injury rehab assignment. His bags were packed last night for Richmond.

Means will appear in a game for the first time since tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow in April 2022. A pulled muscle in his upper back earlier this summer delayed his return to the mound.

“A lot of work’s been put in,” Hyde said. “I know he can’t wait to get started. We’re looking forward to tracking him this next month.”

A pitcher can stay on a rehab assignment for a maximum of 30 days. The extended layoff could keep Means in the minors for most, if not all, of that time.

“Probably, we’ll see,” Hyde said. “We’ve got to build him up like he would be in spring training. … We’re excited about seeing what John has to offer, but getting him going and pitching under the lights, he’s earned it. He’s put in so much great work and we’re proud of him.”

The Orioles could insert Means back into their rotation or use him out of the bullpen for the stretch run. They just want him in uniform.

Hyde said it would be “massive” to get the pre-injury version of Means on the staff. The 2019 All-Star and author of a no-hitter in 2021.

“He’s pitched some great games for us on the mound,” Hyde said, “so getting something close to that would be great.”

Mychal Givens remains on his rehab assignment with Norfolk as he recovers from a right shoulder injury.

“I think he’s throwing again,” Hyde said. “Threw a few days ago. He’s going to throw one more time. We’re just monitoring every outing.”

Reliever Jacob Webb joined the Orioles this afternoon after Monday’s waiver claim.

“I’m very happy,” he said. “Going from a fourth-place team to a first-place team is obviously a pretty good scenario. Just trying to come in here and do what I do, try to help the team the best that I can.”

Hyde is learning about Webb on the fly.

“I don’t know a ton about him,” Hyde said. “I got a couple calls from Angels people that spoke extremely highly of him. Hopefully, he can give us some really good stuff out of the bullpen. I know he has really good stuff. I think the walks have been a little bit of the issue, but we’re hoping he shows command with us, with a good arm.”

The Orioles are listing Kyle Gibson, TBA and Kyle Bradish as starters for the Mariners series. Bradish is pushed back a day.

Bradish has totaled 115 2/3 innings, two fewer than last year’s total with the Orioles.

The Mariners are starting right-handers Luis Castillo, George Kirby and Bryce Miller.