Ruiz scratched from lineup, Hays rested (plus other notes)

Rio Ruiz has been scratched from the lineup today for unspecified reasons. He was supposed to play third base and bat cleanup.

Pat Valaika, who delivered the walk-off single last night in the 11th inning, has replaced Ruiz at third.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is sitting Austin Hays today, a decision based on performance rather than health.

The center fielder isn't in the same category as first baseman Chris Davis and shortstop José Iglesias, who are out of the lineup again due to injuries.

Hays is 3-for28 with eight strikeouts in seven games and perhaps could use a quick reset.

"I'm just giving Austin a little bit of a breather," Hyde said today on his Zoom conference call. "He's been taking good at-bats, he's just grinding a little bit right now and I feel like this is a good day to rest him, especially before an off-day to give him a couple days off.

"He's been playing quite a bit and I just wanted to give him a little bit of a breather today."

Iglesias and Davis are available off the bench, according to Hyde. Iglesias (quad) pinch-hit last night but didn't play in the field. Davis (knee) stayed on the bench while Bryan Holaday played first base in the 11th inning.

"Both are better today," Hyde said. "Works out well having an off-day tomorrow, so they'll get a full day off and I'm hoping that they'll be back after the off-day in a full-time role."

Cedric Mullins has replaced Hays in center field after making a sensational throw from deep left field last night to cut down Ji-Man Choi at third base in the 10th inning - the first double play to start an inning in major league history.

The knock on Mullins has been a below-average arm, but it looked like a cannon last night.

"That was a great play, that was a game-saving play that he made," Hyde said.

"I have seen him throw the ball better than I had heard about, and that's just a testament to him about the work that he's putting in and he has put in with his defense. He's a really good defender and an accurate thrower. For him to be able to get behind the ball like that last night and make a huge throw in a huge spot in the game and potentially winning us the game, that was just an awesome play by Cedric."

Ruiz played left field in the 11th inning for the first time, Renato Núñez moved across the diamond to third base and Holaday - a catcher selected from the alternate camp earlier in the day - played first base.

Hyde with a hunch?

"I didn't have a whole lot of options," he said with a laugh.

"I wasn't going to put Iglesias out for defense. I was trying to win the game, and then sometimes you've got to move guys around to keep guys in the lineup."

Holaday takes ground balls at first and third base.

"A catcher being able to play multiple positions is always really, really valuable," Hyde said.

"Rio's a really good athlete and I feel comfortable putting him out there in that type of situation. Sometimes you've got to play guys out of position to keep bats in the lineup."

Hyde isn't ready to announce his rotation for later this week because Major League Baseball hasn't updated the schedule. The Marlins are in Baltimore for four games in three days beginning Tuesday, but the doubleheader date hasn't been confirmed.

The Orioles haven't swept the Rays since taking a four-game series on June 24-26, 2016 at Camden Yards. The last three-game sweep of the Rays came on Sept. 11-13, 2012 in Baltimore.

For the Orioles
Hanser Alberto 2B
Anthony Santander RF
Renato Núñez 1B
Pedro Severino C
Chance Sisco DH
DJ Stewart LF
Pat Valaika 3B
Andrew Velazquez SS
Cedric Mullins CF

Tommy Milone LHP

For the Rays
Yandy Díaz DH
Mike Brosseau 3B
Brandon Lowe 2B
José Martínez 1B
Hunter Renfroe RF
Manuel Margot LF
Willy Adames SS
Kevin Kiermaier CF
Mike Zunino C

Yonny Chirinos RHP