O's Cedric Mullins on rejoining team, returning to lineup

The Orioles got their center fielder and leadoff hitter back today. And it’s in less than a month since he left the field on May 29 against Cleveland with a right groin strain. Mullins rehabbed in Florida, went 1-for-10 with a homer in three Triple-A rehab games this week and is back atop the lineup today.

“Feels good. Body is doing well,” he said this afternoon. “To be able to come back and get back in action feels pretty good.

“This is an injury I’ve never dealt with before, so there was really no idea in my head what the timeline would be like. Body was responding really well down in Florida and was able to progress every day. Kind of push the leg a bit to the point it feels really good.

“I had a hamstring injury in 2017 and kind of had a flashback to that. But it didn’t feel as bad as back then, so I had an idea it wasn’t going to be that long of a stint for me. But just didn’t know what the body would feel like.”

The Orioles went 11-9 without Mullins, and manager Brandon Hyde said that while the Orioles missed Mullins, of course, his return came maybe faster than expected.

“This was by far the best-case scenario," Hyde said. "Give Cedric, our medical team, (head athletic trainer) Brian Ebel and his guys and the people down in Sarasota a great job for getting him back.”

In 53 games pre-injury, Mullins was batting .263/.356/.479/.835 with 12 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 13 steals and 39 RBIs.

His RBI rate would generate 119 over 162 games. Those numbers put up in large part due to a batting average of .432 and OPS of 1.349 when batting with runners in scoring position. So yeah, they’re thrilled he is back today. 

Mullins didn’t get many Triple-A at-bats before being activated, but said his leg more than his swing really needed the reps and to pass tests, and it did. But does he have any limitations returning to the lineup today?

“I’d say the only limitation that I have is the mental side of knowing that I got hurt," he said. "I think the progressions of the next couple of weeks, I’ll be full-go. You know, it’s like if you wake up and your back tightens up, you might not want to do that same motion instantly. Give it some time. But in terms of all-out speed, I’m full-go on that."

Mullins said it was not too long after he went on the injured list that he felt he had a bit of turning point.

“Going into that late second week, was able to really kind of stretch it out on the grass," he said. "Was getting to some peak speeds." 

In his absence, the Orioles won series with San Francisco, Kansas City and Toronto and split two games with Tampa Bay.

“Some of the guys were struggling immediately after I left, and then things started to pick up," he stated. "(Aaron) Hicks is playing really well, keeping the team vibes alive. (Austin) Hays doing his thing. (Ryan) O’Hearn coming up big in some big moments over that stretch, and they’ve just been doing what they do.

And now Mullins and Hicks will be in the same outfield with Hays in left, Mullins in center and Hicks starting in right field.

“Me and him have a little history in terms of knowing each other the last few years," Mullins said of Hicks. "It will be cool to share a field with him. We’re always clowning around and now just to keep that going out on the field and win some games."

For Triple-A Norfolk this week, Mullins played in a few games in Nashville, including their Wednesday night win that was a playoff clincher.

“Great group of guys that bring a lot of energy to the field every day," he said. "Kind of funny being there when they clinched the playoff spot, getting the beer dumped on me. I was able to contribute in that game, so, pretty cool, and they’ve got a good thing going."