Santander returns to Orioles lineup today

The Orioles will try to avoid a sweep today and recapture the second-best record in baseball with Anthony Santander back in the lineup as the right fielder and cleanup hitter.

Santander didn’t play yesterday.

Ramón Urías is the second baseman and Gunnar Henderson is playing third. Adam Frazier moves to the bench.

James McCann is the designated hitter.

Kyle Bradish made his season debut in Texas on April 3, was hit on the foot by a line drive, and exited after only 1 2/3 innings. He didn’t pitch again until April 19.

Austin Hays has driven in six runs in his last seven games and seven in his last 10.

The Orioles have lost back-to-back games for the first time since May 14-15 and are 10-10 in day games.

They were supposed to face right-hander Dane Dunning, who’s 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 0.977 WHIP in 12 games (four starts), but he’s on the paternity list. Left-hander Cody Bradford takes his place.

Bradford was a sixth-round pick in 2019 out of Baylor University and made his major league debut May 15 against the Braves, allowing six runs and seven hits in five innings in a 12-0 loss. Today marks his second appearance.

Bradford has a 0.99 ERA and 0.926 WHIP in eight Triple-A starts.

The Rangers are 7-1-1 in their last nine series and 11-2-1 in their last 14. They’ve won five consecutive road series for the first time since May 20-June 19, 2016.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Adley Rutschman C
Austin Hays LF
Anthony Santander RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Ramón Urías 2B
Gunnar Henderson 3B
James McCann DH
Jorge Mateo SS

Kyle Bradish RHP

For the Rangers
Marcus Semien SS
Corey Seager 2B
Nathaniel Lowe 1B
Adolis García DH
Josh Jung 3B
Jonah Heim C
Travis Jankowski LF
Robbie Grossman RF
Leody Taveras CF

Cody Bradford LHP

John Means spoke with the media this morning and said he’s confident that he’ll pitch in 2023, perhaps by August. I’ll post more later.