Health updates on Westburg and Hays, Norby's return to Orioles and more

Jordan Westburg and Austin Hays were unavailable for last night’s game due to knee soreness. However, Westburg is playing second base tonight and Hays could start Sunday against Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney.

Westburg was on the field with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel early today performing agility drills and stretching. He’s recovered from the bruised left hip he sustained at Yankee Stadium after a collision with Juan Soto, but a tag at third base early in Thursday night’s game led to the knee discomfort.

“Kind of a weird play and woke up sore. He tested it out today and feels good and he’s in the lineup today,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“He didn’t feel it at the time and obviously finished the game, then woke up and was swollen and sore, so we kind of backtracked to see what happened during the game and it was on this play. But he feels good today.”

Hays jammed his knee Tuesday while chasing a fly ball to the left field warning track, resulting in a deep laceration and swelling. His absence isn’t as noticeable because he’s mostly sat against right-handers.

“I’m hoping that Haysy can be in there tomorrow,” Hyde said. “Hopefully off the bench tonight. We’ll see if he’s good to go tomorrow.”

Hyde noted how the Orioles played short last night with Westburg and Hays down and catcher Adley Rutschman getting treatment on a sore finger on his right hand. Rutschman is behind the plate tonight.

“Not the deepest bench last night,” Hyde said, “but we held up.”

* Connor Norby sat at his locker today at Camden Yards as a member of the 24-hour taxi squad. He’s probably going back to Triple-A Norfolk with Westburg and Hays avoiding the injured list.

Norby also had a locker in the clubhouse on the day that the Orioles optioned him. At least he can stay a through tonight’s game.

“I took a picture of my jerseys, but I didn’t get to be around there too long,” he said. “It’s always cool that you’re one of the guys that they’re trusting to ... if something does happen that you’re one of the guys they call. I take pride in that. Especially with the questions about the defensive stuff. Really working hard with that, showing them I can play, because I know that’s really important at this level and it’s important to Hyder.

“It’s always good when your name’s one of the first guys that they bring up.”

Norby drove from Norfolk to Baltimore today after being told last night that “there were some guys that were banged up and they didn’t know what was going to happen,” he said. “Just kind of be on alert, I guess.”

The first exposure to the majors lasted four games while Jorge Mateo was on the concussion injured list. He went 3-for-14 with a home run.

“Biggest thing is, I always thought I could, but it just confirmed that I can play at this level,” Norby said. “It was 14 at-bats but I thought every day my at-bats were better and better. … The outfield’s always something I’m working at just in case, but I still think I’m a second baseman. But it just confirmed that I can play at this level and I’m only going to get better.

“Whenever you get sent down it’s not that fun, but luckily we have a really good group of guys down there. With (Tides manager Buck Britton) and everything, too. He’s awesome. You want to be up here, that’s the goal, but it’s part of it and it doesn’t always work where you get called up and you get to stay up for the rest of your career. But it’s always a learning experience. Obviously, I was eager to get back.”

Norby, a second-round draft pick in 2021, is climbing some Norfolk all-time lists. It can be a dubious honor.

He’s tied with infielder Blake Davis for the sixth-most hits in Norfolk’s history as an Orioles affiliate with 252. He also ranks third in doubles with 62.

“They’re cool, for sure,” he said, “but I’d also like to set some records here.”

* The date of Dean Kremer’s next start hasn’t been revealed, though he’s likely done with his rehab assignment. He's recovered from the strained right triceps.

“We’re still talking about it because we have (Corbin) Burnes on paternity and so there’s some questions up in the air,” Hyde said. “We’ve got everything in pencil right now. I don’t have an exact date on exactly what we’re doing yet.”

* Infielder Terrin Vavra completed his rehab assignment with High-A Aberdeen and returned to Norfolk.

* The Orioles are 15-6 against the Rangers in the regular season since the start of the 2021 season.

For the Rangers

Marcus Semien 2B
Corey Seager SS
Josh Smith 3B
Adolis García RF
Wyatt Langford LF
Robbie Grossman DH
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Jonah Heim C
Derek Hill CF

Michael Lorenzen RHP