Hays goes on IL, McKenna recalled and Armstrong reinstated

The Orioles have placed outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a strained right hamstring and recalled Ryan McKenna from the alternate training site. McKenna was on the taxi squad.

The latest downturn in Hays' health occurred yesterday at Fenway Park on his double in the third inning. He limped off the field after diving back into the bag and Pat Valaika pinch-ran and played left field.

Manager Brandon Hyde didn't notice that Hays was hurt until he saw the outfielder heading to the dugout.

Hays missed a month last season with a non-displaced fracture in his ribcage after being hit by a pitch. He's been bogged down by other ailments in the majors and minors, including thumb, hamstring, ankle and shoulder injuries.

The Orioles are hoping that Hays can come back faster than DJ Stewart, who hasn't played since straining his hamstring on March 5 in Dunedin. His day-to-day status stretched through camp and he's currently taking at-bats and getting work in the field at the alternate site in Bowie.

Hays had a huge spring with a .392 average, 1.192 OPS, four doubles, a triple, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 18 games and declaring himself ready to play 162. He was the left fielder for the opening series in Boston and went 2-for-10 with two RBIs.

McKenna is wearing No. 65 and waiting to make his major league debut. He's the No. 15 prospect in the system per MLBPipeline.com and hasn't played above the Double-A level.

The Orioles couldn't replace Hays with a pitcher and settle for a two-man bench. They reinstated reliever Shawn Armstrong from the injured list and optioned reliever Cole Sulser to the alternate site.

Sulser threw two scoreless innings yesterday with three strikeouts and wouldn't have been available for a few days. Optioning him was the predictable corresponding move.

Armstrong was transferred from the paternity list to the IL following the birth of his son last week.

Update: McKenna is making his major league debut tonight, batting ninth and playing right field at Yankee Stadium. Anthony Santander is out of the lineup.

Cedric Mullins remains atop the order as he goes left versus left with Yankees starter Jordan Montgomery. He's 9-for-13 with three doubles and a walk in three games.

Ryan Mountcastle is in left field instead of serving as designated hitter. He was 2-for-12 with a double, three RBIs, two walks and five strikeouts in Boston.

Valaika is playing first base and Trey Mancini is the DH. Maikel Franco is the cleanup hitter.

Pedro Severino is catching after sitting out yesterday's 11-3 win in Boston. He's 4-for-8 with a double.

Ramón Urías gets the start at second base. Rio Ruiz takes his left-handed bat to the bench after going 2-for-12 with two walks and five strikeouts against the Red Sox.

Jorge López broke camp as the No. 4 starter, clinching the organization's decision with five scoreless innings in his final appearance against the Yankees in Tampa. He allowed only two hits.

López has made three career starts against the Yankees in the regular season and allowed nine earned runs (13 total) and 17 hits in 13 innings.

The Orioles are facing their first left-hander tonight in Montgomery, who allowed one run in 10 spring innings.

Left-handers are slashing .195/.262/.331 lifetime against Montgomery. He's 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.324 WHIP in seven career starts against the Orioles and has struck out 43 batters in 37 innings.

Mancini is 4-for-13 against Montgomery.

Here's the lineup:

Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Maikel Franco 3B
Pedro Severino C
Pat Valaika 1B
Freddy Galvis SS
Ramón Urías 2B
Ryan McKenna RF

Jorge López RHP