Orioles place Hays on IL and activate López (plus lineup)

The Orioles have placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a non-displaced rib fracture and recalled Cedric Mullins from the alternate camp site at Bowie.

Hays had four plate appearances and played center field in last night's 15-3 loss to the Nationals. He's batting .203/.273/.246 with an inside-the-park home run in 19 games.

Injuries have slowed Hays' progression through the organization. He made the opening day roster this summer and has struggled at the plate, moving down from his leadoff spot.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will provide more information on the injury later today in his Zoom conference call with the media. He could give an estimated timetable on Hays, who had collected eight hits in his last seven games.

Mullins was optioned last Saturday to make space for left-hander Keegan Akin. He was 1-for-13 with an outfield assist that produced the first leadoff double play in major league history.

Hays' removal from the roster leaves the center field job for Mullins, though Andrew Velazquez also can play the position.

The Orioles also activated pitcher Jorge López from the injured list and gave him uniform No. 48.

López was on the IL while going through the intake process. The Orioles claimed him off waivers Sunday from the Royals and he provides an option as a long reliever or swingman.

A spot was created for López late last night when the Orioles optioned Akin.

López, 27, was designated for assignment last week after the Royals activated him from the bereavement/family medical emergency list. He made only one appearance in relief, on July 26 in Cleveland, and allowed two runs and three hits in two-thirds of an inning.

Because he's out of minor league options, López had to be placed on the active roster.

The Brewers selected Lopez in the second round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft and traded him to the Royals seven years later in the Mike Moustakas deal. He's gone 7-15 with a 5.97 ERA and 1.516 WHIP in 60 career games, including 27 starts.

López registered a 6.33 ERA with a 1.472 WHIP in 39 appearances (18 starts) last summer.

John Means remains on the injured list after being transferred from the bereavement list, but he's a candidate to start Sunday against the Nationals. The spot is listed as TBD.

Update: Velazquez is playing center field tonight. Chris Davis is out of the lineup against Nationals left-hander Patrick Corbin.

Hanser Alberto 2B, Anthony Santander RF, José Iglesias SS, Renato Núñez 1B, Pedro Severino C, Pat Valaika LF, Rio Ruiz 3B, Bryan Holaday DH, Andrew Velazquez CF. Asher Wojciechowski RHP.