Orioles lineup could change, Greene on promotion (updated)

Domingo Leyba is starting at second base tonight as the Orioles try to defeat the Nationals and claim the series following last night's 6-1 win at Camden Yards.

Ryan McKenna is in left field and DJ Stewart is in right. Trey Mancini is the first baseman, with Ryan Mountcastle serving as designated hitter.

Ramón Urías remains in the fifth spot in the order.

However, the Nationals scratched starter Max Scherzer due to mild triceps soreness and moved up left-hander Jon Lester. Do the Orioles change their lineup, which currently has Stewart batting cleanup?

They might want to go more with a right-handed alignment.

Conner Greene finally made it onto the active roster today after traveling with the team on the taxi squad. Triple-A Norfolk manager Gary Kendall informed him of the promotion.

Introductions weren't necessary today except with the media. Greene already is pretty comfortable with his teammates.

"I think it gives me a feel for the routine and how everyone goes about their business," Greene said, "and I feel I can just pick right up where I started from the taxi squad."

The news came as a surprise to Greene because he hasn't been tracking injuries and other pitching moves on the club. He was needed today with Rule 5 pick Tyler Wells on the injured list.

"I haven't been looking at how it may end up," he said. "I've just been worrying about my own pitching and how I can get better so that when I am here I'm ready to deliver and give them what they need.

"It's something I've envisioned my entire life. I go to sleep dreaming about it, seeing the manager, may make a joke or act like you're in trouble and tell you that you get to go to the bigs. Gary just called me in and said, 'Hey, I know I tell you to go up for the taxi squad, but this time they purchased your contract. Congratulations, kid, you're going to the bigs.'

"I was shaken, I couldn't wait to tell my dad. We've put in years and years of hard work together to be here and it's as much his dream as it is mine, and I get to share it with my pops and I couldn't wait to call him about it. It was amazing."

Greene had to wait his turn as the Orioles kept promoting other pitchers ahead of him and placing them on the 40-man roster. He can become the 48th player used this season, 10 short of the club record in 2018, and the 12th to make his major league debut, three short of the mark also set in 2018.

"I'm just happy. They're all good guys," he said.

"We're all journeymen trying to make it and I couldn't be happier for them when they did, and I'm glad I'm getting my shot as well now."

Greene has a 7.39 ERA and 1.964 WHIP in 28 innings with 17 walks and 28 strikeouts. He'd obviously recommend that anyone judging his performance look beyond the overall stats.

"I've had some miserable innings and some pretty darn good ones there," he said, "so I think I have been pitching better than the numbers show."

No matter what happens with Greene or how long he's here, he brings one of the more interesting stories among the Orioles. He's friends with actor Charlie Sheen, introduced by a mutual friend, and appeared as an extra in a few episodes of the comedy series "Anger Management" that aired on FX from 2012-14.

Greene is known for his sense of humor, though it wasn't on display this afternoon as he sat in the dugout.

"I'm a little nervous right now," he said. "Maybe you'll get to see it."

His favorite sitcom?

"I would say 'Two and a Half Men,' but I don't know if Charlie even likes that anymore," Greene said. "I'll say, 'Anger Management' is my favorite one."

Hyde is still learning more about Greene besides the reliever's quickness with a quip.

"He's fantastic. This guy's got an awesome, awesome personality," Hyde said.

"We saw him a lot in spring training. He was there almost the entire camp, had a lot of appearances. It's somebody who's pitched at the upper levels for a while, just hasn't gotten a major league opportunity. He's been on the road trip with us a couple times with the taxi squad, so enjoy having him around and I know he's super excited to break in and have a major league debut.

"He was once a high prospect with Toronto. He's got a really good arm and it's really about command and being able to throw strikes. A little bit of an up-and-down season in Triple-A. Hopefully, he comes up here and pitches well."

The Orioles wanted to give Greene a chance, and Wells' wrist tendinitis created it. Wells is expected to return when his 10 days are over. The move was backdated to Tuesday.

"He should be ready right away," Hyde said.

The Nationals recalled infielder Carter Kieboom from Triple-A Rochester and placed infielder Jordy Mercer on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.

Update: The Orioles are going with a new lineup against Lester:

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini 1B
Ryan Mountcastle DH
Ramon Urias SS
Pedro Severino C
Maikel Franco 3B
Ryan McKenna LF
Pat Valaika 2B

Matt Harvey RHP