Hyde on Harvey, exit interviews and Dodgers (O's lead 5-2)

The Orioles aren't going to use reliever Hunter Harvey before the weekend, but they'll continue to downplay his absence as more of a precautionary measure with a reasonable explanation.

Harvey said he's been bothered with some biceps soreness. He didn't have any issues during yesterday's bullpen session.

"He hasn't thrown this much since 2014, so he's got some normal soreness that everybody else has and goes through in September," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's never pitched in September. So we're just giving him a little bit of time off."

Hyde will begin having his exit meetings with players during the final week of the season, with executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and various coaches also in the room.

It's a standard procedure in baseball. Players are given input on their seasons and instructions on areas in need of improvement.

Conditioning and specific skills can be emphasized.

"I think it's real important," Hyde said. "We talked about it in spring training. I met with every single player in camp as a kind of get-to-know and start a good relationship process. It's really interesting to hear what's on their mind and what they think about the year coming up and about things they did well, did not do well.

"This is my first time doing this from the manager's seat, so I'm interested in seeing how guys self-evaluate. Looking forward to those conversations."

Whether a young player is given the freedom to work out on his own and seek his own instructor depends on the individual.

"There's certain guys I think that we'll push to see certain people," Hyde said. "I think just communication of what everybody's doing is important, knowing who they're going to see and what they're going to do during the offseason.

"That's the great time during that last week to talk to those guys about what their plans are in the offseason and then we'll give our thoughts on it, as well."

Hyde began his pregame media session by congratulating the Dodgers, manager Dave Roberts and the coaching staff for again clinching the National League West.

"I have a lot of respect for the Dodgers, I have a lot of respect for Dave Roberts," Hyde said. "He's so well-respected and liked in the coaching industry. Being on the other side from him for the last handful of years, you truly appreciate what he's done there and their coaching staff.

"That's so hard to do, seven years in a row winning a division. Says a lot about him. He's an unbelievably positive guy. Players really like him and he's done some great things there."

Former Orioles hitting coach Scott Coolbaugh joined the Dodgers staff this month and made his return to Camden Yards.

Coolbaugh served this year as hitting coach at Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hyde is prepared for a bullpen game from the Dodgers tonight with Ross Stripling making only his third start since July.

Update: Doubles by Trey Mancini and Dwight Smith Jr. in the second inning gave the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Update II: A.J. Pollock hit a two-run homer off John Means in the sixth inning to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead.

Update III: Smith's two-out RBI single in the sixth tied the game 2-2.

Update IV: Jonathan Villar's three-run homer broke the tie in the seventh.