Updating Flaa and Baumann, Orioles and Mets lineups (updated)

The Orioles have lost reliever Jay Flaa on a waiver claim by the Braves.

Flaa, 28, made his major league debut on April 27 and tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings. He walked two Yankees and struck out Aaron Judge. The Orioles optioned him to the alternate training site in Bowie after the game to create a spot for Dean Kremer.

The Orioles decided Saturday that Flaa would be designated for assignment as they claimed left-hander Brandon Waddell off waivers from the Twins and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

Flaa was chosen by the Orioles in the sixth round in 2015 out of North Dakota State. He became the fifth Oriole to make his major league debut in April and the 20th native of North Dakota.

The organization has received positive news regarding pitching prospect Mike Baumann.

Baumann threw three innings yesterday in a simulated game in Sarasota, Fla. and didn't experience any discomfort in his right arm.

The Orioles are going to ease Baumann into the Triple-A rotation by pitching him at some of the lower affiliates. He's expected to join Single-A Delmarva this weekend in Fredericksburg, Va.

MLBPipeline.com ranks Baumann as the No. 7 prospect in the system and Baseball America has him eighth. He was shut down last summer at the alternate camp site due to a right flexor strain, but he was able to throw on the back fields in spring training.

The Orioles placed Baumann on the 40-man roster in November to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. He went a combined 7-6 with a 2.98 ERA between Single-A Frederick and Double-A Bowie in 2019 and was the organization's minor league co-Pitcher of the Year with Grayson Rodriguez.

Norfolk outfielder Yusniel Diaz is a candidate for the seven-day injured list after leaving Sunday's game in Jacksonville with discomfort in his upper leg/hip area.

With no designated hitter at Citi Field, the Orioles begin their two-game series against the Mets tonight with Ryan Mountcastle in left field, Austin Hays in right and Trey Mancini at first base.

Mountcastle is batting cleanup again.

Rio Ruiz is starting at second base.

Mancini's 440-foot homer last night was the longest by an Oriole this season and the second-longest of his career, following a 459-foot blast on July 29, 2017 in Texas. His eight multi-RBI games lead the club.

Catcher Pedro Severino snapped an 0-for-18 streak last night with his first three-hit game since Aug. 16, 2020 against the Nationals. He's behind the plate tonight.

Shortstop Freddy Galvis' 10-game hitting streak ended last night.

Left-hander John Means is making his first start since Wednesday's no-hitter in Seattle. The only pitcher to throw consecutive no-hitters is the Reds' Johnny Vander Meer in 1938.

Means' two career starts against the Mets arrived back-to-back last September and he allowed five runs and 11 hits in 11 1/3 innings. He was much better at Citi Field, with only one run and three hits in six innings.

Beginning with that outing, Means has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 10 of 11 starts.

The Orioles are familiar with Marcus Stroman from his days in Toronto. He's made six starts in 2021 and posted a 2.12 ERA and 1.029 WHIP in 34 innings. Opponents have hit only three home runs and he's issued only seven walks.

Stroman had allowed two earned runs or fewer in five of his starts.

The Orioles faced Stroman twice in 2019, his first season with the Mets, and managed three earned runs (four total) in 11 2/3 innings. They struck out 10 times.

Stroman, who opted out in 2020, is 5-5 with a 3.36 ERA and 1.293 WHIP in 13 appearances (12 starts) against the Orioles.

The career splits with Stroman are pretty even. Right-handers hit .259/.306/.383 and left-handers hit .260/.319/.383.

The Mets have won five games in a row and sit atop the National League East standings. They're 16-13 overall and 9-4 at home. The Orioles are 16-19 overall and 11-6 on the road.

The teams split four games last summer. The Orioles swept a two-game series at Citi Field in 2018.

Former Orioles infielder Jonathan Villar is playing third base tonight for the Mets.

The Orioles have homered in 11 straight games, the longest active streak in the majors.

ESPN is airing the May 31 game against the Twins at Camden Yards that starts at 1:05 p.m.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays RF
Trey Mancini 1B
Ryan Mountcastle LF
Freddy Galvis SS
Maikel Franco 3B
Rio Ruiz 2B
Pedro Severino C
John Means LHP

For the Mets
Jeff McNeil 2B
Francisco Lindor SS
Michael Conforto RF
Pete Alonso 1B
Kevin Pillar LF
Jonathan Villar 3B
James McCann C
Albert Almora Jr. CF
Marcus Stroman RHP

Update: Hyde said DJ Stewart's hamstring is much better and the outfielder is available off the bench tonight.

Hyde also said he's going to monitor Means closely after the left-hander threw a career-high 113 pitches in the no-hitter.

"I'm not going to push him tonight," Hyde said.