Hyde updates Means (and other notes, O's down 8-4)

WASHINGTON - Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said he's expecting left-hander John Means to start Friday or Saturday night in Kansas City.

Means left the team Sunday and was placed on the family medical emergency list. He's been gone for the required minimum of three days.

"We're hoping first or second day in Kansas City," Hyde said. "Still got a couple things to figure out, but if all goes well, first or second game."

The club is listing Friday and Saturday as TBD, with Aaron Brooks closing out the series Sunday afternoon. Dylan Bundy is available to start whichever game is vacant after Means' status is decided.

Mark Trumbo is the designated hitter again tonight with Triple-A Norfolk. He filled the role last night and homered in his first injury-rehab game.

Hyde said Trumbo might play in the field for a game or two before determining whether he's ready to join the expanded September roster.

"Kind of taking it day-to-day with him," Hyde said.

"We haven't scripted out his playing time, exactly. It's just, we're going on how he feels on a day-to-day basis."

A bullpen that's been a weakness this season has allowed only three earned runs in the last 24 innings. Hunter Harvey is attracting most of the attention since his recall, but closer Mychal Givens hasn't been scored upon in his last six appearances, and he's lowered his ERA to 4.18.

"Seeing that Mike's been on the attack," Hyde said. "Just like Miguel Castro, same thing. They're both throwing a lot of strikes. Miggy some really good sliders last night. Mychal's got the three-pitch mix and I feel like at times he would kind of lose command or get behind and be predictable with his fastball.

"Right now they're both working ahead of hitters, and with the stuff that they have, you get strike one, you get ahead, you get hitters not feeling real comfortable. So that's what they've been doing lately."

Harvey is aiding the bullpen by covering innings late in games and holding Hyde's trust. He hasn't allowed a run in four appearances, striking out seven batters in four innings.

He escaped a bases-loaded jam last night to protect a 2-0 lead in the eighth.

"It's an extra guy that has the stuff to pitch in high-leverage spots," Hyde said. "I'm going to give him opportunities when he's available to pitch in games like last night. I think it's just going to make him better."

Update: Asher Wojciechowski threw 36 pitches in the first inning and allowed five runs - including two on Juan Soto's double and two more on Kurt Suzuki's homer.

Update II: Jonathan Villar singled with two outs in the third, stole second base and scored on Anthony Santander's double to reduce the lead to 5-1.

Update III: Chance Sisco homered in the fifth inning to cut the lead to 5-2.

Update IV: Richard Bleier allowed three runs in the fifth and the Orioles trail 8-2.

Update V: Chris Davis hit a two-run homer in the sixth to cut the lead to 8-4.