Santander still absent from Orioles lineup in exhibition finale

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

March 29, 2021, 5:45am

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The Orioles have reached the final game on the exhibition schedule this afternoon. Seven innings against the Rays in Sarasota and that's it.

They've compiled a 10-16-1 record that means nothing.

What's important is left-hander Bruce Zimmermann making it through today's start healthy and ready to pitch Sunday afternoon in Boston. He's allowed one hit and struck out 10 batters this spring in nine innings.

What's important is Anthony Santander one day returning to the lineup after now missing the last six games with a sore oblique.

Working out on the back fields is nice, but he needs to show the Orioles that he's able to play in games and avoid the injured list.

Santander is sitting again today against Rays left-hander Rich Hill.

Rio Ruiz is getting back-to-back starts at second base. Austin Hays is leading off and playing right field, with Cedric Mullins in center field and batting ninth versus a southpaw.

Adley Rutschman is the designated hitter.

Hill is making his fourth start. He's allowed six earned runs (seven total) and nine hits in 6 2/3 innings.

As I mentioned above, today's game is seven innings. That wasn't a typo.

For the Orioles
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini 1B
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Maikel Franco 3B
Pedro Severino C
Freddy Galvis SS
Rio Ruiz 2B
Adley Rutschman DH
Cedric Mullins CF

Bruce Zimmermann LHP