Ruiz lost on waiver claim and tonight's Orioles lineup (updated)

The Rockies claimed Rio Ruiz off waivers from the Orioles this afternoon, assuring that the infielder won't be staying in the organization via an outright assignment.

Ruiz was designated for assignment after going 15-for-90 with 29 strikeouts. The Orioles selected Stevie Wilkerson's contract from Triple-A Norfolk and he's sharing second base with Pat Valaika, getting the starts versus right-handers.

Wilkerson is in the lineup tonight for the series opener in Minnesota.

The Orioles claimed Ruiz off waivers from the Braves at the 2018 Winter Meetings. He played in 213 games, the most for anyone since executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde were hired, and batted .220/.292/.380 with 24 home runs in three seasons.

Third baseman Maikel Franco stays in the lineup tonight after the Nationals' Josh Bell slid into his right knee yesterday.

Austin Hays started in center field and batted leadoff yesterday, but he's on the bench tonight. DJ Stewart is in left field, Anthony Santander is in right and Trey Mancini is the designated hitter.

"His (left) hamstring is a little bit tight," manager Brandon Hyde said on his Zoom call when asked about Hays. "Talked to him here a few hours ago. He's available off the bench, but just for precautionary reasons we're not starting him tonight."

Hyde also said reliever Hunter Harvey felt good after pitching two innings yesterday with Triple-A Norfolk on his injury rehab assignment.

Left-hander John Means leads the American League with a 1.70 ERA, 0.75 WHIP and .163 average against. He's never faced the Twins.

Means is the eighth pitcher in the American League since 1913 to post a 1.70 ERA and 0.75 WHIP or better in his first nine starts of the season. Justin Verlander was the most recent in 2018.

Also, Means has gone 3-0 with a 0.66 ERA in six road starts, the lowest ERA in the majors. He hasn't allowed a run in four of the six starts.

Twins right-hander Matt Shoemaker is 2-5 with a 6.08 ERA and 1.450 WHIP in eight starts after signing as a free agent. He's made five career starts against the Orioles and gone 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.656 WHIP and 41 strikeouts in 32 innings.

Chris Davis is 0-for-11 with eight strikeouts against Shoemaker and he's on the 60-day injured list recovering from hip surgery.

Single-A Delmarva infielder Jordan Westburg has been named Low-A East Player of the Week. Westburg, the 30th overall pick in the 2020 draft, batted .526 (10-19) with two doubles, a home run, five RBIs and two stolen bases. He had a .625 on-base percentage and a 1.414 OPS.

Infielder Gunnar Henderson received the honor last week.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Freddy Galvis SS
Trey Mancini DH
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
DJ Stewart LF
Maikel Franco 3B
Chance Sisco C
Stevie Wilkerson 2B

John Means LHP

Here's the Twins lineup:

Kyle Garlick RF
Josh Donaldson 3B
Alex Kirilloff 1B
Mitch Garver C
Miguel Sanó DH
Rob Refsnyder CF
Trevor Larnach LF
Andrelton Simmons SS
Nick Gordon 2B

Matt Shoemaker RHP