Updates on Akin and Santander (plus lineup)

Orioles pitcher Keegan Akin and outfielder Anthony Santander have completed the COVID-19 protocols implemented by Major League Baseball.

Akin is throwing a bullpen session today and Santander is cleared to take batting practice, run and participate in defensive drills. The club will decide soon whether to return them to the active roster after their layoff.

"We're going to evaluate both of them after today," said manager Brandon Hyde.

"We want to get them on the field. It's been a week. Get them on the field, get them moving around and see how their legs are and make a decision on them here in the next couple days

"That's one thing about it is you can't do a whole lot (on COVID-19 list) and so you're taking a week off and ramping back up to play right away for me isn't realistic. So, from a health standpoint, want to make sure that they're moving around, they're healthy. Get Tony to run the bases a little bit, do some running stuff, as well as take some live batting practice and get ready to play."

Akin could return to the rotation, move to the bullpen or head to Triple-A.

"I think after the side we're going to re-evaluate what we're doing there," Hyde said. "We haven't made any decision on that yet."

Spenser Watkins and Alexander Wells will each get another start while Akin's status is pending.

"We're going to see how Akin comes back from his 'pen, when he can come back and either juggle the rotation or put him in the 'pen," Hyde said. "We'll figure something out at that point."

Maikel Franco tweaked his right ankle last night attempting to run out a ground ball, which became a light jog, but he stays in tonight's lineup at third base.

Austin Hays is in left field and DJ Stewart is in right. Ryan McKenna and Pat Valaika are on the bench.

Jorge López hasn't completed five innings in his last five starts and seven of eight.

López has made two career appearances against the Marlins and allowed only one run in 8 1/3 innings.

Marlins right-hander Jordan Holloway is making his fourth major league start and 14th appearance. He's posted a 3.21 ERA and 1.248 WHIP this summer in 33 2/3 innings.

Holloway has allowed only 20 hits and one home run in 12 games, but he's averaging 5.9 walks per nine innings. His last start was June 20, but three relief appearances this month have produced only three runs (two earned) and five hits in 13 innings.

The Marlins traded outfielder Starling Marte to the Athletics for left-hander Jesús Luzardo and reportedly will send reliever Yimi García to the Astros for Triple-A outfielder Bryan De La Cruz.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini DH
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
DJ Stewart RF
Ramón Urías SS
Pedro Severino C
Maikel Franco 3B
Domingo Leyba 2B

Jorge López RHP