Hyde on lineup, Mullins, Hays, Aguilar, Wells and more

WASHINGTON – Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins and second baseman Rougned Odor aren’t in tonight’s lineup, which is explained by the opposing pitcher.

Manager Brandon Hyde is going with a predominantly right-handed lineup against Nationals lefty Patrick Corbin. Ryan McKenna gets the start in center field and Ramón Urías stays at second base.

The only left-handed bat belongs to rookie Gunnar Henderson, who starts at third base.

Odor’s right hand wasn’t wrapped today. Mullins was hit on the right hand last night and stayed in the game.

“There’s a pretty good chance you’ll see them both in there at some point,” Hyde said.

Mullins ditched switch-hitting and batted .277/.337/.451 last season against lefties, but he’s slashing .203/.266/.288 this year in 178 plate appearances.

“Just not as comfortable this year,” Hyde said. “But also, McKenna’s handled left-handers so well. He’s got close to a .900 OPS versus lefts, so with (Austin) Hays and (Anthony) Santander, I’d like to see Mac get a chance in those spots.

“I think that Ced going forward could go back to being able to stay on left-handers a little better. I just think this year, I don’t know, it seemed like a lot of sliders away and things like that had some troubles with, but I think he’s going to be fine going forward.”

McKenna’s glove in center makes it easier for Hyde to sit Mullins.

“That’s the reason for me,” Hyde said. “We put a lineup together, there’s a defensive component, also, that’s extremely important. If I’m going to trade Mullins out, it’s going to be for somebody that’s going to be able to play center field and play it well, because Ced’s been so great out there for us.

“Ced’s also got a ton of plate appearances (592) this year. I think he’s one of the leaders in plate appearances in the season. This just gives Mac an opportunity to get in there.”

Hays moves to leadoff after having back-to-back multi-hit games. He was lowered to eighth in recent days.

Hyde is batting Hays first for the 10^th time this season.

“I just like the way he’s swinging the bat better the last couple days,” Hyde said. “We haven’t handled left-handers real well as a club, and I haven’t done that with Austin. I’m just trying to get a little bit of a spark at the top.”

Jesús Aguilar is the designated hitter with just one hit in 18 at-bats with the Orioles.

“Just off to a tough start,” Hyde said. “A guy with big power potential. You look at what he’s done in the past. Sporadic playing time, kind of tough to get going. Probably pressing a little bit early since he’s joining a new team. Just want to see him relax and do what I know he’s capable of.”

Tyler Wells won’t be pushed deep into tonight’s game in only his second start since coming off the injured list. He worked two innings and threw 34 pitches last Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

“I think best-case scenario is he goes three or four innings,” Hyde said. “We do have (Austin) Voth in the bullpen, we have other guys. An off-day tomorrow, that made it a lot easier.”

Double-A Bowie placed pitchers Tyler Burch, Noah Denoyer and Brenan Hanifee, and catcher Andres Angulo on the injured list.

For the Nationals
Lane Thomas RF
Joey Meneses 1B
Luis García 2B
Luke Voit DH
Cesár Hernández LF
CJ Abrams SS
Alex Call CF
Ildemaro Vargas 3B
Riley Adams C

Patrick Corbin LHP