Updating Hays and Westburg injuries, McCann's return, Rutschman's selection to Home Run Derby and more

NEW YORK – Austin Hays and Jordan Westburg worked out today with their Orioles teammates and apparently have dodged serious injuries.

Hays is day-to-day with a left hip contusion. X-rays on Westburg’s left hand came back negative, and he hit on the field this afternoon.

“Both of them feel a lot better today than they did after the game yesterday,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Still a little sore, but I think we got lucky.”

Hyde described two tough collisions – Hays with Twins first baseman Donovan Solano in the second inning and Westburg with a 101.3 mph fastball from Jhoan Duran with the bases loaded loaded in the eighth that plated the go-ahead run.

“It could have been a lot worse,” Hyde said.

Westburg has the hand taped but can slip a glove over it.

“It’s amazing that he’s able to take that off the back of his hand like he did,” Hyde said.

Catcher James McCann rejoined the Orioles in New York after playing in two rehab games at Double-A Bowie. He could be reinstated from the injured list as early as Tuesday after spraining his ankle at Wrigley Field.

“He came out feeling good,” Hyde said. “Caught two games and got some at-bats. Talked to him, he said the ankle feels good and he feels ready to go. We’re excited about that.”

Hyde doesn’t know whether Ryan Mountcastle, who hit a long three-run homer last night at Triple-A Norfolk, is close to leaving the IL.

“I saw he went deep last night, that’s good to see,” Hyde said, “but I know they’re really taking it day-to-day.”

* The All-Star experience keeps getting better for catcher Adley Rutschman, who was selected for the Home Run Derby on July 10 at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.

“I’m really excited,” Rutschman said. “I’ve got my dad (Randy) throwing me BP. Just one of those things that I think you dream about as a kid. To be able to do it with my dad is awesome.

“Easiest decision. It’s one of those things you have to do.”

Rutschman said he’ll start out hitting from the left side. He hasn’t plotted out a strategy.

“I haven’t been in a Home Run Derby since I was like 8 years old, so we’ll figure it out,” he said.

“I’m going to have my normal swing until the Home Run Derby, and then I guess we’ll just figure it out on that day what we want to do.”

Randy Rutschman last threw batting practice to his son over the offseason.

“I guess we talked about it in the past, if I were to do a Home Run Derby, would he be the one?” Rutschman said. “The answer for me has always been him. We knew.”

Having the event in Seattle is going to bring lots of family and friends from Rutschman’s home state of Oregon.

“The announcement just came out, but they’re super excited to go,” he said. “I know my dad’s really excited. I know there’s going to be a lot of stuff going on, a lot on the schedule, but it’ll be fun just to be a part of it.”

Hyde found out last night that Rutschman would participate in the Derby.

“So cool that he’s going to have that experience,” Hyde said. “It’s always fun watching somebody you know really well. That’s a lot of pressure, too. Everybody’s pulling for him.

“It’s so hard to do. It’s way harder than people think. But nothing would surprise me results-wise if he puts on a show.”

Extra rest for any player, and especially a catcher, would be beneficial during the break. But the Orioles are thrilled that Rutschman is in the Derby, and to have four players representing them in the game.

“How do you say ‘no’ to that?” Hyde said. “It’s so cool for them and their career and their families, and for them to be able to experience something like that. I just want them to enjoy it and have a great time there.”

* Closer Félix Bautista was named American League Reliever of the Month for June, and Gunnar Henderson was chosen as AL Rookie of the Month.

Bautista registered a 0.84 ERA with seven saves in 10 appearances. He allowed one run and six hits in 10 2/3 innings, with no walks and 22 strikeouts.

The All-Star also earned the honor in April, making him the only two-time winner in club history.

“I think a lot of the fruits of my labor have been coming to fruition,” Bautista said via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “All that hard work finally paying off.”

Henderson batted .320/.354/.640 in 20 games, with four doubles, a triple, six home runs, 16 RBIs, 10 runs scored and three stolen bases. He homered in three consecutive games from June 10-13, including a 462-foot shot onto Eutaw Street.

A month earlier, Henderson batted .213/.315/.425 with 28 strikeouts in 27 games.

“It goes to show you that you’re going to get through it at some point,” Henderson said. “Stick with the process of it. I feel like that’s been a big thing I’ve learned so far.”