Mullins: "I expect myself to be back in games sometime next week"

SARASOTA, Fla. – Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins expects to return to the lineup next week after exiting Monday’s game with a sore right hamstring.

Mullins underwent an MRI that came back “clean,” eliminating any concerns about an extended absence.

“Kind of what I expected,” he said this morning. “It felt like a cramping sensation, so we shut it down just to be on the safe side. … What I thought basically is what happened, so it’s a matter of working out the tightness.

“We’ll probably slow-play it a little bit, but I expect myself to be back in games sometime next week. Pretty soon.”

Austin Hays is in center field for tonight’s game against the Pirates in Sarasota. Mullins is 2-for-9 with four walks and a stolen base in 13 plate appearances.

Opening Day isn’t until March 28, giving Mullins plenty of time to get ready for the start of the season.

“Yeah, 100 percent,” he said. “Swing’s been feeling good, I feel like I’ve been having good at-bats. Once I get the green, I’ll be back doing lives on the back fields and things like that. I feel like I’m putting together a lot of at-bats, still plenty of time left.”

Mullins went on the injured list twice last season with adductor/groin strains, but he knew Monday after reaching second base that the discomfort wasn’t related or a recurrence.

“I had a strong feeling that it wasn’t as big a deal,” he said. “I feel like other injuries in the past have had some form of lead or build up. This wasn’t that. Coming off what felt like one of the hotter days that we’ve had during spring, did a decent amount of work beforehand to get ready, just trying to get my work in. Might have overexerted myself just a little bit, which led to dehydration.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said he’s “hopeful” that Mullins plays next week.

“We’re definitely going to take it slow with him and not rush him back,” Hyde said, “but it’s getting a little better every day and we just want to be careful with him.”

Other Orioles pitchers listed behind starter Julio Teheran tonight include Bruce Zimmermann, Mike Baumann, Nick Vespi, Dillon Tate and Jonathan Heasley. Aroldis Chapman will pitch tonight for the Pirates after starter Mitch Keller.

Extras from minor league camp include pitchers Dylan Heid, Ryan Hennen, Kade Strowd, Houston Roth and Ryan Watson, and infielders Greg Cullen and Anthony Servideo.

The Orioles are off Thursday, and Grayson Rodriguez starts Friday night against the Tigers in Sarasota.

Hyde didn’t pinpoint when the club would make its first round of camp cuts, estimating “in the next week or two.”

Former Orioles Adam Jones and Matt Wieters are in camp as instructors. Hyde introduced Wieters to the team earlier today. The four-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner was at the complex yesterday while the Orioles played the Phillies in Clearwater.

“I’ve never met him. Just been on the other side of the dugout from him,” Hyde said.

“He was so impressive as a player and just wanted to say ‘hello.’ I’m so glad that he’s here. He said a nice thing to the guys about how he watches us and he’s happy for us. We’ve had a great group of alumni this year, so we’re honored to have all these guys.”

The Orioles announced that right-hander Reese Sharp, a 20^th-round pick in 2022 out of Indiana University, underwent successful Tommy John surgery earlier today in Arlington, Texas. Dr. Keith Meister handled the procedure.

Sharp posted a combined 3.83 ERA and 1.500 WHIP with four saves last year in 31 relief appearances between Single-A Delmarva (nine games) and High-A Aberdeen (22). He averaged 7.3 walks and 11.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

The tarp is on the field at Ed Smith Stadium and rain continues to fall, but the forecast calls for clearing by 6 p.m. It keeps changing.