Johnson on taxi squad, tonight's Orioles lineup

Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Daniel Johnson is on the Orioles’ 24-hour taxi squad while center fielder Cedric Mullins is reevaluated for left quadriceps tightness.

Mullins exited Friday's game due to discomfort and so far he's avoided the injured list. Johnson was removed from Norfolk’s game after two at-bats that night, and he’s got a locker at Camden Yards in case Mullins’ quad doesn’t improve enough to let him play.

Johnson, also a left-handed bat, is hitting .267/.333/.479 with 17 doubles, a triple, 20 home runs and 70 RBIs in 98 games with Norfolk. He hasn’t played in the majors since 2021 with Cleveland.

The Orioles would need to make a corresponding 40-man roster move to accommodate him.

“A lot of at-bats,” Johnson said when asked to explain his success with the Tides. “Get a lot of at-bats, you can do a lot every single day. So just the ABs. It’s an opportunity.”

Johnson said his improvement largely comes from the mental side of the game.

“Physically, honestly, I can do what a lot of guys can do,” he said. “But mentally, approaches to the game, attitudes, not being so results focused, focusing on the process of things, that’s been one of the key things I’ve done this season.

“Talked to a lot of other guys, picking other people’s brains about things. Talking to guys who are who are where I want to be, who went through a lot of things, also.”

The bench was further shortened yesterday with Ryan Mountcastle receiving treatment for wrist soreness. He’s out of the lineup again tonight after his removal from Thursday's game in the top of the ninth inning.

Austin Slater is leading off the playing left field and Colton Cowser is in center. Eloy Jiménez gets another start as the designated hitter, but Emmanuel Rivera replaces Ryan O’Hearn as the first baseman. Rivera made his Orioles debut yesterday at third base.

Jackson Holliday returns to the lineup at second base after yesterday’s pinch-hit, three-run double.  

For the Orioles

Austin Slater LF
Adley Rutschman C
Gunnar Henderson SS
Anthony Santander RF
Eloy Jiménez DH
Colton Cowser CF
Emmanuel Rivera 1B
Ramón Urías 3B
Jackson Holliday 2B

Dean Kremer RHP