Rio Ruiz recalled for return to Orioles roster

The Orioles have swapped out a pitcher for a position player to give their short bench a little more length.

Third baseman Rio Ruiz has been recalled today from Triple-A Norfolk and will be in uniform for the series opener against the Astros at Camden Yards.

He'll find out later whether he's in the lineup against left-hander Wade Miley.

Ruiz was optioned to Norfolk on July 24 following the series finale in Arizona. He joined his wife for the birth of their first child and was transferred to Double-A Bowie, where he went 0-for-8 in two games.

Next came three games with the Tides. Ruiz went 5-for-14 with a home run and seven RBIs and waited to get back to the majors.

Ruiz had gone 11-for-38 with one home run in July and made 10 starts before the Orioles optioned him. He broke camp with the club and posted a .238 average and .641 OPS.

The Orioles lost a position player Wednesday with DJ Stewart going on the concussion injured list. Left-hander John Means took his roster spot.

Reliever David Hess was optioned after Wednesday's 14-2 loss to the Yankees, which included the much-publicized dugout flare-up between manager Brandon Hyde and first baseman Chris Davis.

The Orioles are ready to move on from it, but more questions will be asked later today. Especially with Davis leaving the ballpark before the media was allowed inside.

It wouldn't be surprising to find Davis out of the lineup tonight with Miley on the mound, though the first baseman is 3-for-9 with two doubles against him.

The Orioles are heavy in left-handed hitters with Ruiz back and Jace Peterson on the roster.

Anthony Santander is expected back in the outfield after serving as the designated hitter for the past couple of games.

Hanser Alberto is 3-for-7 against Miley and likely to move back to the infield tonight.