Hyde on cuts, Davis, Ruiz and Franco in same lineup, and more

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he doesn't anticipate making any roster cuts for the next few days. Then they should be spread out over the last few weeks, with opening day April 1 in Boston.

Fifty-seven players remain in camp, including the batch at Twin Lakes Park.

There's a lot of work to be done.

Chris Davis remains out of the lineup and workouts since straining his lower back on Feb. 28.

Is the 60-day injured list a possibility? Hyde was short with his answer on today's Zoom call, which has been typical this spring regarding Davis.

"It could be a possibility," he said.

Rio Ruiz is playing third base today with Maikel Franco getting a breather following yesterday's debut and two-run double. Hyde can find room for both of them in the lineup.

"Yeah, being in the American League you have the DH possibility, also," he said. "We have Trey (Mancini) at first base, who didn't play at all last year, and both of those guys have a little bit of first base experience also, so there's some depth there. Been talking to Trey every day to see how he feels, but adding another corner guy who can play first base, I could see the times when all three of those guys can be in the lineup by utilizing the DH."

The trio of Mancini, Anthony Santander and Ryan Mountcastle could slot 2-3-4 in the order this season.

"I flip-flopped Mancini and Santander today just to take a look," Hyde said. "I try to put the top four hitters in the top four spots from a lineup standpoint. Like the leadoff guy to be an on-base guy and two, three, four to be your best three hitters in no particular order. That's probably going to be in a matchup situation. But I'm comfortable with all three of those guys hitting somewhere in the middle."

The travel roster today includes catcher Brett Cumberland, infielders Rylan Bannon, Tyler Nevin, Jahmai Jones, Mason McCoy and Adam Hall, and outfielder Yusniel Diaz.

Konner Wade is listed as one of the relievers, along with the group I mentioned earlier: Fernando Abad, Isaac Mattson, Mickey Jannis, Jay Flaa and Spenser Watkins. Wade hasn't pitched in a Grapefruit League game.

Players optioned or reassigned in camp are allowed to return from Twin Lakes Park and be used in games.

Diaz is 6-for-24 with a double, home run, five RBIs, three walks and 12 strikeouts. He's going to work out at the alternate camp site in Bowie, move around the outfield with Triple-A Norfolk and wait to make his major league debut over the summer.

MLBPipeline.com ranks Diaz as the No. 10 prospect in the system and sixth among position players behind catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielders Heston Kjerstad and Mountcastle, and shortstops Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg.

"He's a real talented kid and he's hungry for opportunity up here, I know," hitting coach Don Long said of Diaz this morning in his Zoom call.

"It's kind of one step at a time. He needs to play. Like a lot of these guys who were hamstrung last year, not having the ability to play games, and he kind of falls in that category. I just think he needs to get out and play and improve. He's a talented kid and he's going to have to play and earn the opportunity to move to the next level."

César Valdez starts Tuesday against the Rays and Hyde said it's going to be a "bullpen game."

Today's game will be eight innings.