Orioles and Braves lineups, plus notes new and old

NORTH PORT, Fla. – Adley Rutschman has made the trip to CoolToday Park for today’s game against the Braves. He’s catching Dean Kremer.

Kremer is making his third start. He’s allowed three runs and six hits with three walks and five strikeouts in four innings.

Jordan Westburg is playing second base, Colton Cowser is in left field and Kyle Stowers is in right. Coby Mayo is the designated hitter.

Ryan McKenna is leading off and playing center field.

For the Orioles

Ryan McKenna CF
Adley Rutschman C
Ramón Urías 3B
Jordan Westburg 2B
Jorge Mateo SS
Colton Cowser LF
Coby Mayo DH
Kyle Stowers RF
Tyler Nevin 1B

Dean Kremer RHP

Listed behind Kremer are Cade Povich, Keegan Akin and Wandisson Charles.

The Braves are starting left-hander Chris Sale.

For the Braves

Ozzie Albies 2B
Austin Riley 3B
Matt Olson 1B
Marcell Ozuna DH
Travis d’Arnaud C
Orlando Arcia SS
Jordan Luplow LF
Eli White CF
Luis Liberato RF

Chris Sale LHP

The Orioles brought over pitchers Nolan Hoffman, Kyle Virbitsky, Dan Hammer, Keagan Gilles, Nick Richmond and Ryan Watson, catcher Silas Ardoin – who was reassigned yesterday – infielders Errol Robinson and TT Bowens, and outfielders Tavian Josenberger, Shayne Fontana and John Rhodes from the minor league side.

Corbin Burnes starts for the split-squad Orioles Sunday against the Blue Jays in Dunedin. Albert Suárez faces the Jays in Dunedin.

Julio Teheran starts Monday afternoon against the Yankees in Tampa.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Cedric Mullins’ hamstring is much better, and the center fielder should return to the lineup next week.

Hyde also said Samuel Basallo will get some at-bats before Thursday’s Spring Breakout game against the Pirates in Bradenton. Basallo will be the designated hitter because he’s still recovering from a fractured right elbow.

* Now that the site is up and running again, here’s yesterday’s pregame notebook from Sarasota:

The Orioles made their first round of roster cuts, reducing the number of players by six to 57.

Pitcher Seth Johnson was optioned to minor league camp, the only player cut who’s on the 40-man roster.

Catcher Silas Ardoin and pitchers Justin Armbruester, Ronald Guzmán, Garrett Stallings and Nathan Webb were reassigned.

Johnson is recovered from Tommy John surgery but has made only one professional appearance above the Class A level. He started against the Braves in a split-squad game this spring and tossed two scoreless and hitless innings with one walk.

Armbruester, the No. 21 prospect in the organization per MLB Pipeline, tossed three scoreless relief innings with one hit, no walks and four strikeouts. Stallings also tossed three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing two hits and walking one.

“We feel like all three of those guys threw the ball well,” Hyde said. “Good to see them pitch in front of the major league coaching staff. Expect them to go to the minor leagues and hopefully be a phone call away, stay ready. But I thought they performed extremely well here, and making cuts here is going to be part of the process.

“We want them to go down and get some work in and stay ready.”

Webb underwent Tommy John surgery last spring and isn’t ready to begin pitching in games. Guzmán is making the transition from first baseman to pitcher, and he reported late due to visa issues.

Ardoin was 3-for-4 with two doubles, a triple, two RBIs and four walks.

The lineup included Kolten Wong at third base, a position he hadn’t played since college. Jackson Holliday was at second base.

“Just kind of moving guys around a little bit, spring training,” Hyde said. “Like today, there are a few guys I definitely wanted to get in there. Gonna play Jackson at second, so Kolten, if we can try to get him versatile, it adds to our team.”

“I think that’s just kind of how the game is going now,” Wong said.

“I told them I’m open to it, told them I’d be willing to go play other positions. So third base is my test tonight and I’m excited.”

Wong, one of the late additions to the camp roster after signing a minor league deal, was hitless in his first eight at-bats before delivering an RBI single last night. He also charged a ground ball from Riley Greene and threw out Parker Meadows at the plate in the first inning.

“Just trying to get my timing and whatnot,” he said, “but feel pretty good.”