Notes on lineup, Garcia and Araúz inactivity, heat, chemistry, vaccination status, and more

To keep rookie Adley Rutschman in the Orioles’ lineup this afternoon as the designated hitter, manager Brandon Hyde had to sit one of his starters. He chose outfielder Anthony Santander, who moved to the bench for the series finale against the Yankees.

Santander leads the club with 16 home runs. He has five multi-hit games in his last 14. But someone had to step aside.

“It’s just a day off,” Hyde said, clarifying that an injury isn’t in the equation.

“It’s the summer and day game after a night game, we’re going to rotate guys as much as we possibly can and try to keep guys fresh as we can the last couple months.”

Reliever Rico Garcia has warmed during the past two games without leaving the bullpen. He also warmed at Tropicana Field before the break. But his last appearance was July 10.

A deficit shrinks and Hyde calls upon one of his high-leverage relievers.

“It’s challenging,” Hyde said. “Just circumstances in the game have changed when he’s about to go in to pitch. It’s definitely hard. You want to try to put these guys in position to have success, but it’s not easy to pitch or play when you haven’t played in a while.”

Infielder Jonathan Araúz hasn’t played since the ninth inning of a July 8 game against the Angels.

“Both of those guys have been pros, they both have kept themselves prepared,” Hyde said. “Araúz does a great job pregame to simulate game activity and try to stay as ready as he possibly can.”

The Orioles will try to stay out of the heat as much as possible today, with the on-field temperatures expected to climb above 100. Ammonia towels in the dugout, hydration stations and large fans. Only so much that can be done in an outdoor sport.

Yankees starter Gerrit Cole said he had trouble gripping the ball last night and controlling his heart rate.

“I think heat is a factor,” Hyde said. “He was throwing 98 mph, so he looked pretty good to me. But I live in Florida right now. It’s hot everywhere. It’s just something you deal with, and you try to keep guys as cool as possible in between innings.

“Guys that have been playing this long, they’ve played in the heat before.”

The energy level hasn’t dipped while the temperature rises. Fans are reclaiming the ballpark. Players are pumped up on the field and in the dugout – the loudest that Hyde has heard it - and blaring music in the clubhouse after victories.

The chemistry reminds Hyde of his days with the Cubs.

“We’re building that here right now,” Hyde said.

“Last night after the game, that kind of reminded me of postgame back then in those Cubs years. It was loud, guys were really celebrating the win. You see a lot of smiles on faces, you see a lot of guys just enjoying being at the ballpark. You see how well our guys get along and how much they’re pulling for each other, and that’s huge.”

All members of the Orioles are now fully vaccinated, per the club. Santander and reliever Keegan Akin weren’t allowed in Toronto last month due to Canada’s COVID-19 regulations, and the club’s next trip is Aug. 15-17.

Roster adjustments won't be necessary.

The Cardinals announced today that All-Star infielders Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt, along with catcher Austin Romine, won’t make the trip to Toronto.

Jorge Mateo has a hit in seven of his last eight games, including four multi-hit efforts, and is slashing .355/.375/.677 (11-for-31) with three doubles, two triples and a home run.

Due to a scoring change, Ryan Mountcastle is given a hit in the July 10 game against the Angels at Camden Yards. The error is removed from third baseman Jonathan Villar.

For the Yankees
DJ LeMahieu 3B
Aaron Judge DH
Anthony Rizzo 1B
Gleyber Torres 2B
Matt Carpenter RF
Aaron Hicks CF
Isiah Kiner-Falefa SS
Jose Trevino C
Joey Gallo LF

Nestor Cortes Jr. LHP

Here are the starters for the series against the Rays at Camden Yards:

Monday: Austin Voth vs. Corey Kluber
Tuesday: Spenser Watkins vs. Shane McClanahan
Wednesday: Tyler Wells vs. Drew Rasmussen
Thursday: Jordan Lyles vs. TBD