Mountcastle returns to Orioles, plus lineups and notes

The Orioles announced a roster move this morning, reinstating first baseman Ryan Mountcastle from the injured list and optioning left-hander Bruce Zimmermann to Triple-A Norfolk.

Mountcastle was set to complete his 20-day rehab assignment with Norfolk after going on the IL with vertigo. He hasn’t played for the Orioles since June 8 in Milwaukee and was in a 4-for-30 slump.

Mountcastle told the media in Minnesota that he hadn’t felt the effects of vertigo in the past. He isn’t in the lineup.

Today’s transaction leaves the Orioles with 12 pitchers and 14 position players. Manager Brandon Hyde used only two relievers yesterday, Bryan Baker and Danny Coulombe, behind starter Tyler Wells in a 6-2 win.

The Orioles play their final game of the season’s first half this afternoon. They’re two behind the first-place Rays in the division, and both teams have 35 losses.

The Yankees and Blue Jays are five games behind the Orioles.

A win today would be the Orioles’ 54th, a total they didn’t reach last season until Aug. 3, and didn’t reach at all in 2021.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop again. Ryan O’Hearn gets the start at first base and is batting fourth. Aaron Hicks is the designated hitter.

Colton Cowser takes a seat on the bench, with Austin Hays playing left field, Cedric Mullins in center and Anthony Santander in right.

Jordan Westburg is the second baseman. Ramón Urías is playing third.

Kyle Gibson has allowed 15 runs in his last three starts totaling 13 2/3 innings. He made one career start against the Twins and allowed three runs and three hits in eight innings.

Gibson has a career 4.70 ERA and 1.440 WHIP in 96 games at Target Field.

Willi Castro is 4-for-7 with two doubles against Gibson.

Batters have been hitting Kyle Gibson’s changeup harder over his last seven outings, posting a .478 slugging percentage compared to .259 previously this season, per STATS.

The Orioles have won four games in a row since losing five of six. Their three-game winning streak against the Twins is the longest since July 8, 2017-March 29, 2018.

Right-hander Joe Ryan is 8-5 with a 3.42 ERA and 0.984 WHIP in 17 starts. He’s averaging 1.4 walks and 10 strikeouts per nine innings.

Ryan has registered 12 quality starts this season. He’s faced the Orioles twice in his career and allowed three runs in 11 2/3 innings.

Mullins is 2-for-6 with two doubles against Ryan.

For the Orioles
Gunnar Henderson SS
Adley Rutschman C
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan O’Hearn 1B
Austin Hays LF
Cedric Mullins CF
Aaron Hicks DH
Jordan Westburg 2B
Ramón Urías 3B

Kyle Gibson RHP

For the Twins
Carlos Correa SS
Edouard Julien 2B
Byron Buxton DH
Alex Kirilloff 1B
Donovan Solano 3B
Max Kepler RF
Christian Vázquez C
Joey Gallo LF
Michael A. Taylor CF

Joe Ryan RHP

I’ll be back tonight with a story on the Orioles’ draft selections.