Hyde returns to Wrigley Field (and other notes)

CHICAGO – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde had two free nights in the city that he used to call home, including yesterday’s open date in the schedule that allowed him to visit with friends. Hyde left the Cubs organization after the 2018 season, packing his World Series ring from 2016 and jumping into another rebuild.

Hyde didn’t bring the bling Wrigley Field today. He won’t flash it at his players to provide more incentive and remind them what can be done on the other side of that rebuild.

“That is in a special place,” he said.

“I do think about that. I saw the (championship) flag when I walked in. I do think about that year, and really those three years – ’15, ’16 and ’17 were unbelievable. Even ’18 we were really good. Just, things happened at the end. We had an amazing run, and talked about it a little bit with Jed (Hoyer).

“That was a lot of fun. I’m really happy to be back.”  

The Orioles haven’t played at Wrigley Field since 2014, with a 2020 trip canceled due to the pandemic. Only regional travel that season.

“It’s a little bit different,” Hyde said after doing an on-field interview with a local television station during batting practice. “The surrounding area’s a little different. I haven’t been back here since the end of 2018, so really looking forward to coming back here.

“Lots of great memories here. Just the drive in was a lot of fun, to revisit some old times. This was a special place for me and my family for a lot of years, and so it’s fun to be back.”

Austin Hays is back in the lineup but still experiencing some soreness in his right wrist after landing on it while making a diving catch at Guaranteed Rate Field and being hit by a pitch in the same area on July 4.

Hays is 3-for-38 in his last 10 games. He could use the rest at the All-Star break.

“He’s not going to be 100 percent until he gets some significant time off,” Hyde said, “but it does feel a little bit better today.”

Jorge López is available to close tonight if there’s a save situation. He hasn’t pitched since Saturday, the day before finding out that he made the All-Star team in the American League.

“I was disappointed honestly that we didn’t get more in or more consideration for other players,” Hyde said, “but giving Lopey the news was an incredible moment and so well deserved. He had an amazing first half. We won so many games because of him. I’m just really happy for him and that he’s going to represent us at the game.”

Spenser Watkins is starting Wednesday night to close out the brief series, and Hyde is mapping out the rest of the rotation to get him through the break.

“It’s a little bit unusual with the off-day, two days, and then another off-day, and then you have a three-game series before the break,” Hyde said.

“We’re going to play around with hit a little bit. I’m going to see how tonight goes, see how Jordan (Lyles) feels after his start. And we’ll kind of figure it out from there. That last day in Tampa is a little bit questionable.”

Hyde is focused more on tonight and how the Orioles can extend their winning streak to nine games, the longest since September 1999, and reach .500 for the first time since they were 4-4 on April 10, 2021.

Hot teams want to keep playing, but Hyde wasn’t complaining about having off yesterday.

“You don’t want a day off because you want to keep it rolling, but our pitching staff needed a break. Any days I can give these bullpen guys a breather … it was much needed,” he said.

“When you play as many close games as we have, a couple extra-inning games, you’re going to be taxed, and we were. I wasn’t going to use Lopey that last game, I didn’t really want to use (Félix) Bautista, to be honest with you. I was glad I didn’t have to use Cionel (Pérez). So, it was nice to get that extra day for a lot of those guys.”

Trey Mancini is spending part of the break in Los Angeles, where he’ll attend The ESPYS on July 20 as one of the nominees for Best Comeback Athlete. Also in the category are NBA Player Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, WNBA player Diamond DeShields of the Phoenix Mercury, and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

Mancini continues to inspire after beating Stage 3 colon cancer and playing a full season in 2021.

“Very honored, it means a lot,” he said. “I’m honored to be nominated amongst the other athletes, too, and it should be a really cool experience. I always watched the ESPYS growing up and I’m looking forward to it.

“It’s something that we always have reminders here and there, and I can certainly say this is one of them, but again, it’s a great honor and I’m really excited to go out for it.”