Pregame notes on Vavra, Diaz, Hays, Mountcastle and more

BOSTON – Orioles minor league infielder Terrin Vavra has recovered from a hamstring injury and is completing his work at extended spring training.

His next stop is High-A Aberdeen to begin a rehab assignment that eventually will bring him back to Triple-A Norfolk.

Vavra, the No. 14 prospect in the organization per MLBPipeline.com, appeared in 13 games with the Tides and batted .327/.436/.423 with three doubles and a triple in 63 plate appearances.

Outfielder Yusniel Diaz is much farther away from returning to Norfolk.

Diaz injured his hamstring again and hasn’t appeared in a game since May 13. He’s in a progression with the team’s rehab crew in Sarasota, Fla.

“Our hope is that all goes well and we’re able to see him in games by the end of the month,” said director of player development Matt Blood.

Those games would be on a rehab assignment, further delaying his next appearance with the Tides.

Diaz followed an impressive spring training by going 16-for-49 (.327) with three doubles, two home runs and a .934 OPS in 14 games at Norfolk, but injuries keep derailing his career.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is resting outfielder Austin Hays today, at least by keeping him out of the lineup. Hays is available to pinch-hit.

“Just coming off a busy schedule, doubleheader yesterday, just giving him a day off today,” Hyde said.

“It seems like when I try to sit one of these guys they end up coming into the game, because we’re playing such tight games. Fortunately, I have a guy off the bench like him that can hit in a big spot, like I’ve done with Cedric (Mullins) a couple times on his supposedly days off. But it’s nice to have some pop off the bench. I’d love to get Austin off his feet for a while.”

Ryan Mountcastle is batting cleanup today and playing first base. He’s 4-for-24 in his last six games and has struck out eight times in his last four.

Mountcastle played both ends of the doubleheader and struck out five times. He has three walks and 16 strikeouts in his last 11 games.

Fourteen of 17 games this month have included a strikeout and he’s drawn four walks during that span.

“I think he’s just going through a little bit of a tough stretch right now. I’m not really worried about him,” Hyde said.

“I saw he got beat with some fastballs yesterday, which means for me that he’s just a little bit caught in between. Ryan’s going to come out of it. I expect him to take good ABs today. I just think he’s had a few tough games in a row.”

Spenser Watkins played catch again today as he works toward a return from a right elbow contusion.

Rougned Odor has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games since May 16, slashing .306/.320/.612 (15-for-49) with four doubles, one triple, three home runs,13 RBIs and seven runs scored.

For the Red Sox
Kiké Hernández CF
Rafael Devers 3B
J.D. Martinez DH
Xander Bogaerts SS
Trevor Story 2B
Christian Vázquez C
Bobby Dalbec 1B
Christian Arroyo RF
Franchy Cordero LF

Nick Pivetta RHP