Hyde on Mateo: “He’s been a total pro about everything"

Austin Hays is out of the lineup for the second consecutive day due to soreness that’s accumulated over the last two series.

Hays played left field in all four games against the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre and made a sliding catch in foul territory in the ninth inning Friday night at Camden Yards with the Orioles leading 10-3. Hays came up limping and grimacing, but he stayed in the game.

Colton Cowser started in left last night, and Hays is on the bench again today, with Ryan McKenna in left and Jorge Mateo in center.

“He’s made a lot of diving catches on turf, on dirt,” said manager Brandon Hyde. “Just a little sore. Off-day works out tomorrow where he’s going to get a few days off here. Should be available possibly off the bench today but just wanted to give him another day to mend a little bit.”

Mateo is making his eighth career start and 14^th appearance in center. He handled the final two innings last night and didn't have a ball hit to him.

“I feel good about being able to play other positions,” he said via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “The important thing is that I’m able to go out there and play on the field, wherever that is, and give 100 percent.”

Mateo’s playing time has diminished along with the numbers in his slash line. He batted .347/.395/.667 in the first month, but .128/.165/.151 in 26 games in May, .196/.250/.250 in 21 games in June, and .167/.211/.278 in 17 games in July, and he's 1-for-6 this month.

“I feel like as a group we’ve had a really great season,” Mateo said. “Obviously, they make the decision who to put out there, and when they call on me to go out there, I’ll give it my best, and right now it’s playing center field for a little bit. And just happy to go out there whenever they call my name.”

Getting hot with irregular playing time is “a little difficult,” Mateo said, but at-bats must be earned.

“It’s something that happens, it’s part of the game,” he said, “but I’m looking to work through it and get out of it.”

Gunnar Henderson is absorbing most of the innings at shortstop. Mateo can be a weapon off the bench with his speed, and center field is available with Cedric Mullins and Aaron Hicks on the injured list. Mullins is the designated hitter today at Double-A Bowie after starting in center last night and going 1-for-6.

“He’s been a total pro about everything,” Hyde said of Mateo. “We did some work with him in spring training in the outfield just in case something like this was going to happen this year. Creates some versatility and flexibility with our roster, knowing that there’s going to be stretches where we’re going to have some guys who are banged up or need days off. And he’s got a lot of major league outfield experience, so he’s very comfortable. He’s been working this last week in the outfield, as well as shortstop.

“He feels good about it. He’s handled everything very, very well.”

Hyde thinks Mateo can be “extremely valuable” to the Orioles down the stretch beyond subbing in the outfield.

“He’s continued to swing the bat well against left-handed pitching (.295/.337/.432), so that’s been helpful,” Hyde said. “He got off to a great start, lost some confidence against right-handed pitching and just hasn’t gotten it back as much as he did earlier in the year. We hope that he can maybe finish the season strong for us. He was a huge part of our lineup there in April and did a ton of damage. When he gets on base, he scores. He’s a major, major factor for the other team because of his speed, and so we’re hoping to get him going a little bit.

“Every team that’s looking to make postseason pushes is looking for speed, and a guy that can play defense anywhere, and Jorgie can do that. Like I said, he gets on base, he scores, so if he’s not starting and he pinch-runs for somebody, it’s a big-time threat in a close game. Just trying to keep all options open with him.”

First base coach/outfield instructor Anthony Sanders has worked with Mateo to get him ready.

“(Sanders) said he does it really, really naturally,” Hyde said. “We saw that in spring training that one game and he made a couple plays that looked like it was super easy for him. When he does his work out here pregame, it looks like he’s been doing it his whole life.

“He’s obviously got elite speed and he can really, really throw.”

Mateo is waiting for someone to test his arm.

“Of course, that’s what I want,” he said. smiling. “I want them to get going and see what we’ve got.”

Grayson Rodriguez, Jack Flaherty and Dean Kremer are starting against the Astros beginning Tuesday at Camden Yards. Houston hasn’t listed its starters.

Jim Palmer was inducted into the Hall of Fame on this date in 1990.