Hyde updating Tyler Wells and notes on Mountcastle and Vavra

CINCINNATI – Ryan Mountcastle, who went 0-for-4 with a sac fly in the ninth inning Friday night, is not in tonight’s starting lineup for the Orioles, getting a rest day. At least to start. But manager Brandon Hyde hinted during his pregame media session that there could be something else contributing to Mountcastle’s absence from tonight’s lineup.

“He’s banged up,” said Hyde. “We’re getting to that point now where, he’s got lot of at-bats, lot of games under these guys’ belts, and he’s pretty banged up. Just want to give him a day and hopefully he’s available off the bench today.”

When asked whether Mountcastle is just dealing with “bumps and bruises” or anything more significant, Hyde said “bumps and bruises.”

Mountcastle has just two hits his last 31 at-bats over his past eight games. He has not homered his last 19 games. In 22 games this month he is batting .191/.231/.298/.528. and that is after he posted a robust OPS of .959 in June.

Hyde also today had an update on right-hander Tyler Wells, who went on the injured list after his last start, Wednesday against the Rays, when he gave up four runs over 4 1/3 innings.

“He has a Grade I oblique strain,” said Hyde. “So it's not, fortunately it’s not too serious, but it’s going to take some time. Not sure about the timetable. But he’s going to miss some time.”

The O’s can’t pin down just how much time Wells will miss. Oblique issues can linger. They just have to let it heal and have some things play out.

“We have to wait and see. I don’t have a timetable at this point. We have to let it heal and go from there,” Hyde said of Wells, who is 7-6 with a 3.90 ERA in 20 starts.

Terrin Vavra, called up from the minors on Tuesday, will make his first major league start today, batting eighth as the designated hitter. Vavra made his big league debut last night as a pinch-runner in the ninth inning.

In 45 games this year at Norfolk after dealing with an early-season hamstring issue, he batted .324/.435/.451/.886 with 14 doubles, one triple, two homers, five steals and 18 RBIs. He has a 14.0 walk rate and his OBP is right there with Gunnar Henderson's, among the best on the O’s farm.

“I just want to see a guy make his debut and try to relax. Take some good at-bats and hope he enjoys it," Hyde said. "He got in there last night, but it’s going to be fun to watch him tonight. Debuts are always fun, and looking forward to seeing how he handles it.

"First at-bat in the big leagues is something you are never going to forget, so just enjoy it and have some fun."

In 244 career minor league games, Vavra has posted a line of .305/.410/.468/.878.

Hyde was asked today about how his team has handles the trade deadline rumors and questions players have been getting. He was asked if the players don't want to see this team's roster change much.

"Honestly, we haven't even talked about that, and if they have, I haven't been around," he said. "I don't sense that. After about the first month, you did see this team come together. We had young guys growing in the big leagues and few salty vets that helped them along the way. 

"They all get along so well. You can see the camaraderie. Our bullpen guys are super tight. I think that is always extremely helpful. They are pulling for each other so much. I felt that in the dugout starting about in the middle of May. That is when I knew we had a chance to surprise some people and play good baseball. It's a nice dugout feel, and these guys are friends off the field as well."

The Orioles have set their probable pitchers for the Texas series. Right-hander Spenser Watkins starts Monday, followed by righties Jordan Lyles on Tuesday and Kyle Bradish on Wednesday.