Hyde and Ortiz talk about the infield prospect's promotion to the majors (plus other notes)

DETROIT – Facing three left-handed starters in a four-game series against the Tigers prompted the Orioles to recall infield prospect Joey Ortiz from Triple-A Norfolk.

It wasn’t the only reason, but matchups were the primary motivation to add Ortiz’s right-handed bat and option Terrin Vavra.

“He’s off to a really nice start in Norfolk, and we wanted to get a little more right-handed, especially for this series,” manager Brandon Hyde said this afternoon in the visiting dugout at Comerica Park.

“He can play multiple spots for us in the infield. We’re really comfortable with him defensively, and his first day here he’s in there. We’re excited to watch him make his debut.”

Ortiz is playing second base, with Jorge Mateo at shortstop. Gunnar Henderson is on the bench against left-hander Joey Wentz, and he’s able to play despite the scrapes on his right hand after diving for a line drive yesterday.

“We’re getting to that part of the season now where there’s bumps and bruises with guys,” Hyde said. “You want to be able to rest guys on occasion, and Joey can cover us in a few spots. We’re excited about him and his versatility, but also the right-handed bat.”

Ortiz already was on the 40-man roster, which also improved his chances of getting the call.

It doesn’t guarantee a lengthy stay with the club.

“I think it’s a wait and see right now,” Hyde said. “We’re trying to win games, and so we’re going to try to get the best roster that we can, short term, long term. We feel like Joey’s going to be able to possibly help us this series and then we’ll go from there.”

Vavra started in left field yesterday while Austin Hays sat out with a bruised right middle finger. He went 6-for-26 and play the corner outfield, third base and second base.

“Austin’s really improving,” Hyde said. “The swelling has definitely gone down in the finger and we hope in the next couple days he could be out there, which is amazing from what it looked like on the night that he got hit there. He’s a fast healer and a tough guy. We’re hoping that Austin can be back in the lineup in a couple days.”

Hays’ status reduced the need for an extra outfielder, but sending down Vavra wasn’t an easy decision.

“Terrin will be back,” Hyde said. “Vav does cover us in a lot of spots. When (Ramón) Urias got ejected, he went to third, he obviously can play second base for us and both corner outfield spots, and he’s done it well when he was here. Nice to see him get a couple hits the other day.

“He just didn’t get the at-bats. As much as I don’t want to lose him, I think it’s important that he goes down and gets some consistent at-bats here for a little while, because he’s not an older veteran player. You want to see guys not just get stale on the bench up here.

“We think really highly of him and I love his approach. I love how simple he is at the plate and how he can do a lot of things for us defensively. We have good problems. We have a bunch of good players and we’re just trying to put the best roster out there right now.”

Ortiz heard about his promotion from Norfolk manager Buck Britton while he was shopping with teammates. He was told to get his stuff ready and meet up with the Orioles.

The nerves won’t have much time to build, with Ortiz already in the lineup.

“Definitely get it out of the way,” he said. “Probably be a little easier to get going and be more comfortable.”

“Honestly, that wasn’t really the reason why he’s in there tonight,” Hyde said. “We just feel like it’s a pretty good matchup for him and we feel like he can help us.”

Ortiz’s parents and girlfriend are in Detroit. Passing along the news to them was a thrill for Ortiz, and more memories with them are brewing.

“It was cool,” he said. “Everything kind of moved too quick, so it was kind of a quick call. Had to get going.

“It’s fun. I think it will be more important to see them after the game. Will be more emotional.”

The clubhouse is familiar to Ortiz, even if he’s in a new city. He built or strengthened relationships in spring training.

“Definitely was nice to see familiar faces and be comfortable,” he said.

Ortiz wanted to shed the all-glove label that followed him from New Mexico State University. He’s hit .351/.396/.542 in 187 Triple-A plate appearances and had 28 doubles, four triples, 15 home runs and 71 RBIs last summer in 111 games with Double-A Bowie.

“I feel like I’ve always got something to prove,” he said. “Now I’m at a new level and I’ve got to hit here, so it’s important to prove still.”

“You see in major league spring training games early on before he got hurt (concussion protocol) how much the bat has improved the last couple years,” Hyde said. “The defense has been there. He’s got a chance to be a special defender, the way his hands work, the way his feet work, how he can play defense with an amazing amount of confidence. That’s exciting. And he’s got big-time range.

“It’s fun to watch him, the way he’s come on the last couple years, and we’re excited to watch him tonight.”

Ortiz has made 189 starts at shortstop in the minors and 37 at second base.

“I wouldn’t say it’s too much of a mental change,” he said. “I feel like it’s just different positioning on the field. Still the same game. Got to catch the ball, throw the ball, get them out.”

Mateo spoke to Ortiz this afternoon about their double play pairing.

“When we get on the field we’ll go through our practice and warmups and stuff,” Mateo said via translator Brandon Quinones. “We’ll talk about it a little bit more and see where we’re at.

“He’s a really good kid and he competes really hard, and that’s what we’re looking for here, guys who just compete hard every single day. We know he’s a pretty good prospect for our organization, but once you get up here it’s a matter of just doing what you can to help the team win and competing hard.”

Hays has his right middle finger taped after being hit Tuesday while trying to lay down a bunt. Hays said he’s available to pinch-run tonight if needed.

“Within the next couple days, we’re going to try to grab a bat and swing, and as soon as I feel like I’m capable of doing that, I’ll be right back in there,” he said. “Just day-to-day thing right now. Just going to be a really quick recovery, though.”

Hays has avoided the injured list. He played hurt last summer without going on it.

“I did not dodge the ball, but I feel like I dodged a bullet with that,” he said. “When I first came out of the game, I thought it was a lot more serious than that. Just really lucky that it wasn’t something more serious.”

Reliever Dillon Tate has moved his injury rehab assignment to Double-A Bowie and he’s pitching tonight. Reliever Mychal Givens threw live batting practice at Bowie today and should make his first game appearance on Saturday.

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson agreed to a five-year, $260 million extension today, hours before the start of the NFL draft. Hyde heard about the deal as walked to the dugout for his media session.

“I think that’s awesome,” Hyde said. “I’m excited for him to come to Camden Yards, maybe take a little batting practice and be around the guys. Really cool for the city and happy for him.

“I’m a huge football fan and a Ravens fan and a John Harbaugh fan, so for him to be signed, happy for everybody involved.”