Mancini with the latest pinky update (plus notes)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - Trey Mancini still has wrapping on his left pinky finger, a reminder of an injury that amuses more than frustrates. The rare stolen base on Feb. 24, the head-first slide and an unfortunate collision between hand and Blue Jays shortstop Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

Removed early from Saturday's game against the Red Sox in Fort Myers, Mancini has returned to the lineup today as the designated hitter. He's batting second against Rays starter Charlie Morton in chilly Port Charlotte.

"There's been a lot of improvement," he said this morning. "I wouldn't be back if ... I didn't think it was affecting my swing anymore.

"I've been really eager to get back. I just hate not being out there with the guys, but at the same time I need to do a little bit better of a job of being honest with myself when I'm overcompensating for something. And luckily I recognized that and Hyder (manager Brandon Hyde) recognized that the other day, so I just needed a few more days."

Mancini was removed for a pinch-hitter Saturday in the fourth inning and walked off the field with assistant athletic trainer Mark Shires, signaling an issue that Hyde disclosed after the game.

"It's feeling much better," said Mancini, who's 2-for-5 this spring. "Took longer than I expected to heal, but yeah, I jammed it up pretty good. So oven mitt from now on and no more diving head-first when I probably don't need to."

Mancini swiped the bag, for what that's worth, tying his total in 308 major league games.

In order to receive clearance to play, Mancini had to take some swings yesterday in the cage and during batting practice at Ed Smith Stadium.

"I took kind of an abbreviated round out on the field, too. So yeah, I felt good," he said.

"Before I was just sort of coming across the ball a little bit in and out of the zone too quick and dominating with my top hand, and yesterday I kind of had it back to normal. I definitely felt better."

Mancini should return to the outfield this week, with Anthony Santander playing left field today.

"Just wanted to maybe ease back into it, just focus on one facet of the game," Mancini said. "I'm sure next time I'm in there I'll probably be back in the field."

David Hess starts Saturday afternoon's split-squad game against the Rays in Port Charlotte. Dylan Bundy starts the night game versus the Yankees in Sarasota.

A reminder that Mike Wright starts Thursday against the Pirates in Bradenton and Andrew Cashner starts Friday versus the Red Sox in Sarasota.

Pitchers listed behind Wright include Yefry Ramirez, Dillon Tate, Miguel Castro, Branden Kline and Josh Osich.

The Orioles brought the following players over from minor league camp today: Tyler Erwin, Omar Bencomo, Luis Ysla and D.J. Snelten, infielder Mason McCoy and outfielders Mike Yastrzemski, Ryan McKenna and Zach Jarrett.

For the Rays
Daniel Robertson 3B
Tommy Pham DH
Ji-Man Choi 1B
Avisaíl García RF
Willy Adames SS
Guillermo Heredia CF
Emilio Bonifacio LF
Michael Pérez C
Kean Wong 2B

Charlie Morton RHP