Hays in Orioles lineup tonight while Mountcastle sits again

Austin Hays has returned to the Orioles’ lineup tonight after doing some early hitting and informing the club that his right wrist is fine.

Hays didn’t play last night and had the wrist wrapped after being hit by a pitch Monday afternoon. He’s starting in left field, with Ryan McKenna in right and Anthony Santander serving as the designated hitter.

Ryan Mountcastle took about 30 swings in the cage this afternoon and isn’t ready to return. He’s taking medication for a sinus infection that’s left him feeling a bit woozy.

Mountcastle is optimistic about being in the lineup Thursday night against the Angels to begin a four-game series.

“He still doesn’t feel great,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Hoping he’s available off the bench again like he was last night.”

Ramón Urías is starting at third base again tonight.

Nick Vespi was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk today after inheriting two runners from Dillon Tate last night and surrendering a game-tying home run to Nathaniel Lowe.

Vespi was charged with one run in his first nine appearances with the Orioles, but he allowed six to the Mariners in one-third of an inning on June 29.

“I just thought he hung a breaking ball last night,” Hyde said. “Had a tough outing against Seattle, that happens. I thought he threw the ball good two days ago. I just thought he hung a breaking ball in a bad spot. Tough time to do it. Two strikes … Vespi’s ball, everything cuts, or the slider or the curveball goes in one direction and one side. He got a piece of it multiple times there for foul balls and then just kind of hung one to him in a tough spot.

“I like his stuff. I think, besides those couple outings, he’s been really good and showing he can get big league hitters out. The bottom line is we just needed an arm today, and hopefully he can be back up with us sometime soon.”

Kyle Bradish will pitch in a simulated game Thursday and begin a progression as he nears a return from right shoulder inflammation.

The tarp is on the field with rain in the forecast.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Trey Mancini 1B
Anthony Santander DH
Austin Hays LF
Adley Rutschman C
Ramón Urías 3B
Rougned Odor 2B
Ryan McKenna RF
Jorge Mateo SS

Spenser Watkins RHP

For the Rangers
Marcus Semien 2B
Corey Seager SS
Mitch Garver DH
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Jonah Heim C
Kole Calhoun RF
Brad Miller LF
Leody Taveras CF
Charlie Culberson 3B

Glenn Otto RHP

The Angels are starting right-handers Chase Silseth and Michael Lorenzen and left-handers Patrick Sandoval and José Suarez in the four-game series against the Orioles that begins Thursday night.