Updating Henderson and Mullins, plus other notes

PHILADELPHIA – Gunnar Henderson is eyeing Friday night as his return to the lineup after leaving last night’s game in the eighth inning with discomfort in his lower back.

Henderson is on the bench tonight and likely unavailable.

“Feeling a lot better,” Henderson said today. “I think it’s kind of the same deal that happened a little bit earlier in the year. Just tightened up on me out there, so they just felt like it was good to not try to force it anymore.”

The back discomfort kept Henderson out of two games last month – one in San Francisco and one in Milwaukee, with an off-day in between. The Orioles are off Thursday after concluding their series tonight in Philadelphia.

Asked about Friday being a realistic goal, Henderson said, “I would think so, yeah.”

“The way it progressed last time, I think it’s pretty much the exact same thing. So probably just a couple days and be ready to go.”

Henderson felt the back grab while making a throw from shortstop.

“I think it was just kind of a mix of things, and then a pretty soft bed here, and I think that’s kind of what got to it a little bit,” he said. “It was actually on a plant out in the field. But I’ve never had a problem with it swinging. Even when I went into my last at-bat, I didn’t really feel it too much.

“It kind of caught on me out there. I don’t know if that had anything to do with the turf in Tampa or not, but about the same thing and probably just a couple days and be ready to go.”

“I think he was happy with how it felt this morning,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

Cedric Mullins did some running today for the first time since returning to the injured list with a right groin strain. He didn’t know at what percentage, but it was a new activity.

“Hitting, I haven’t had any issues with it. Throwing’s fine,” he said.

“Mobility is getting there in terms of stretching. I was trying to keep it as loose as possible while I was recovering, as well. Just going to see how I feel after today.”

Mullins didn’t know whether he’d stay with the club or head down to Sarasota.

“He’s making good progress. He’s getting a little bit better every day,” Hyde said.

“I don’t know the timetable on it. It’s going to be really up to him and how he responds to running and doing some cutting and agility stuff. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon.”

Aaron Hicks is getting treatment on his left hamstring after going on the injured list yesterday.

Closer Félix Bautista is available tonight after resting the past two games.

Ryan O’Hearn is celebrating his 30^th birthday.

O’Hearn’s has homered off left-handed relievers Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. and again last night, giving him five against southpaws among his 47 career homers.

“If you ask him, the key is to get down 0-2 against premiere left-on-left guys,” Hyde quipped. “Get down 0-2, and then you just shorten up and try to put it in play. And that’s the simple approach.

“I have no idea. He’s been great, though. That was a big one last night.”

Josh Lester cleared outright waivers and accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Yankees are starting right-handers Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt and Luis Severino in the weekend series at Camden Yards. The New York Post is reporting that Aaron Judge is expected to be reinstated from the injured list on Friday.

Former Orioles All-Star center fielder Adam Jones will serve as the first “guest splasher” in the Bird Bath during Friday night’s game.