Mullins out of lineup with hip flexor

Orioles rookie center fielder Cedric Mullins is out of tonight's lineup with a sore hip, removing him from the national stage for the ESPN broadcast.

Manager Buck Showalter termed the injury as a "hip flexor" and wouldn't comment whether Mullins could play later tonight, but he's likely day-to-day with the earliest return possible Monday night against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards.

Mullins might have tweaked the hip on a throw in yesterday's doubleheader. He played in both games.

"He's not sure exactly which play," Showalter said. "He thought it was probably on a throw he made, kind of an off-balance, awkward throw. He improved as the day went on.

"Just didn't think it was in his best interest. I don't want it to linger on. I'm hoping it's a short-term thing and I'm not going to broadcast his availability tonight. But just didn't think it was after 18 innings yesterday in his best interest to start tonight.

"I hate it because I'd love for everybody to see Cedric, but he's not going to start."

Craig Gentry is replacing Mullins in center field. Showalter wanted to keep Adam Jones in right.

"I just want Adam ... We talked about it in the past," Showalter said. "I just think every rep he can get out there is good for him and don't want to start yo-yoing back and forth. I just think it's good for him and the club.

"We're lucky to have Craig who can play center field. (John) Andreoli has played there, too. We'll see."

Mullins is batting .309/.387/.509 with five doubles, two home runs and five RBIs in 15 games since the Orioles selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk.

The Orioles will aim for a return during the three-game series against the Blue Jays that leads into another off-day on Thursday.

"I'm hoping that, I'm hoping that it improves as much from today to tomorrow as it did from the time he got up," Showalter said. "He called our trainers as soon as he woke up this morning. Said he was feeling it."

Pitcher Jhan Mariñez was in the clubhouse this afternoon, but the Orioles haven't announced a roster move.

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner CF
Giancarlo Stanton RF
Aaron Hicks DH
Miguel Andújar 3B
Neil Walker 2B
Gleyber Torres SS
Luke Voit 1B
Austin Romine C
Shane Robinson LF

Luis Severino RHP