Orioles notes on McKenna's return, Henderson in rookie race, Cowser's streak and Mayo mashing

OAKLAND – Ryan McKenna knows the drill.

An outfielder is injured while he’s down at Triple-A Norfolk, and instructions are coming to board a flight and join the Orioles. It’s become a routine.

Maybe not the way McKenna first imagined his major league career unfolding, but he’s developing a niche and a reputation.

He’s the outfielder with plus speed and defense who rides the shuttle, stays ready and hops back in the lineup or his bench role. Always with a positive attitude. Unshaken by the disruptions.

The energy guy in the dugout who’s tracking the game like a manager, anticipating when he’s needed.

Aaron Hicks came down with back spasms Monday night during his last at-bat and didn’t play in the next three games, and McKenna sensed that he’d hear from the Orioles.

Nailed it.

“I kind of had a feeling, just seeing how it goes in the past,” he said yesterday. “Just being aware of the situation, guys coming off the injured list. They just told me the next day, ‘Hey, we want to go down to Oakland and get ready.’”

McKenna boarded a 7 p.m. flight Friday, with a stop in Salt Lake, and started in right field last night. He had two singles before Ryan O’Hearn pinch-hit for him.

“I always keep up with the boys here, no matter where I’m at,” he said. “This is a team that I’ve been with for a while now and I feel connected with. Just kind of being aware of everything that can happen with any situation.”

To bounce without getting flat is a skill. McKenna was optioned July 5 when the Orioles promoted outfielder Colton Cowser, was recalled July 25 when Hicks strained his left hamstring, was optioned again Aug. 11 when Cedric Mullins came off the injured list, and returned yesterday as Hicks’ replacement.

“Kind of roll with the punches, and just being prepared I think is the biggest thing,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve done it a decent amount so far, and just going through the experience helps you know what it’s like. It’s the same game. Working with the guys here, being prepared for the games. It’s pretty seamless, just because of the experience.”

The Orioles are 52-23 with McKenna on the active roster, a quirky stat considering that he’s batting .260/.313/.375 in 75 games. But he does bring an energy that manager Brandon Hyde misses when he’s gone.

“We know a lot about Mac and what he can do for our club, so excited to see him back,” Hyde said. “But disappointed for Aaron.”

McKenna can anticipate when he might be called up, but it also works in reverse, where he can sense if he’s on the verge of another option. Hicks and Mullins coming off the injured list made him vulnerable again.

“Honestly, I didn’t really think about it too much,” he said. “When you’re in the season and you’re on this ballclub environment, you just get ready to play. I wasn’t really thinking about it too much. Obviously, when it happens it is what it is. You just roll with it and stay healthy and play and get ready and prepare for your opportunities here, as well.”

McKenna could stay with the Orioles for as long as Hicks is out. And rosters expand in September, though by only one position player and a pitcher.

Hicks might be on the injured list past the 10-day minimum, depending on his shutdown period.

“The first game he comes back, gets a couple hits, and gets a little bit of back spasms on that last at-bat,” Hyde said. “It had been progressing and getting a little bit better every single day, just not quite making the progress that we were hoping, and I think the right thing is to shut him down for a couple weeks and get him right. He’ll be back here when the IL stint’s over.”

* Gunnar Henderson singled and was hit by a pitch last night and is batting .242 with 17 doubles, five triples, 20 home runs, 59 RBIs and a .788 OPS in 112 games.

Henderson is trying to become the first Oriole to win the American League’s Rookie of the Year Award since reliever Gregg Olson in 1989, and their first position player since Cal Ripken Jr. in 1982.

According to FanDuel odds, Henderson is a -165 favorite over the Red Sox’s Masataka Yoshida (+360) and Triston Casas (+440).

The Rangers’ Josh Jung saw his odds plummet to +4500 after fracturing his thumb. He was the favorite prior to the injury.

I have a Rookie of the Year vote. And I am not ready to reveal my ballot or offer any hints. Much too early.

I don’t want to be viewed as a homer and I don’t want to exclude a deserving Oriole and get crushed for it. So, yeah, a no-win situation. But that’s my problem. And I will vote for the player who in my opinion is the top rookie.

Gotta like Henderson's chances right now, though.

* Cowser went 1-for-3 last night with a two-run double and two walks to extend his hitting streak to nine games.

Cowser is batting .324 (11-for-34) with a .447 on-base percentage, .553 slugging percentage, three doubles, two home runs, seven RBIs and nine walks during that span.

The Orioles didn’t rush Cowser back to the majors yesterday, but I don’t think we’ve seen the last of him.

* Coby Mayo went 2-for-4 last night with a double, walk, two RBIs and a run scored, his third game in a row with at least two hits.

Mayo is batting .324 (11-for-34) on the current road trip, with four doubles, two home runs, seven RBI and six walks, and has posted a 1.057 OPS.

“He made a really athletic play the other day on the defensive side,” McKenna said. “He’s a good kid. Very young. I think it’s super valuable for him to get experience at a high level, one step away from the big leagues.

“I know he’s going to be a great player, just talking to him and getting to know him a little bit more by playing with him. He’s got a good head on his shoulders and he’s going to be a good player.”

There’s also that crazy power.

“Yeah, he’s got some serious bat speed and juice,” McKenna said, smiling. “No doubt.”