Urías borrows mitt and makes move to first base

ATLANTA – Ramón Urías returned to the clubhouse after last night’s win over the Braves and received the news. The part-time second baseman, part-time third baseman, would start at first base tonight.

Something he’s never done in the majors.

Something that was brewing after the Orioles optioned Ryan O’Hearn Thursday afternoon.

Urías had a comical reaction to it.

“I feel like it was kind of weird because I’m not a big first baseman,” he said. “I’m good with it, I’m good with the challenge.”

Ryan Mountcastle found out last night that he’d serve as the designated hitter against Braves right-hander Spencer Strider. His first thought?

“Who’s playing first?” he said, grinning.

“I was like, ‘Maybe it’s (Anthony) Santander, maybe (James) McCann.’ I didn’t know. I saw it was Urías and I was like, ‘OK, it’s Urías.’”

Urías didn’t have a first baseman’s mitt, an important piece of equipment for the job.

“I just gave him mine and he’s using it,” Mountcastle said before correcting himself. “Well, I didn’t give it to him, he just took it. Hopefully, he gives it back.”

Urías has made nine starts at first base in the minors and appeared in two other games. He worked out at first in spring training, though it must have happened on a back field because no one in the media remembered seeing him.

“Excited to play it,” he said.

“I think it’s like any other position in the infield. I feel like it’s more like second base. I don’t feel like it’s super hard. I feel comfortable there.”

Getting to the bag early is one of the adjustments awaiting Urías, who has five hits in the last two games. Mountcastle, who was drafted as a shortstop and also played third base and left field before settling at first, said he doesn’t have much advice for his teammate.

“Just some footwork around the bag is one of the more important parts over there,” he said. “I know he’s played all the other positions, so ground balls and double plays, all that stuff, is pretty self explanatory. But footwork around the bag and making sure you’re there and in the right spot at the right time. Besides that, he’ll be all right.”

Also new to Urías will be knowing when to pursue a ground ball and when to break for the bag and wait for the throw.

“Those ones are sort of tough because you’re used to going after everything,” Mountcastle said. “I guess first base is sometimes the only position where it’s like you’ve got to make a decision whether to go after it or not. That will be a transition, but I think he’ll be fine.”

Urías is just happy to be in the lineup and a contributor to a team with the second-best record in baseball.

“Every time the team needs something like this, I’m cool to do it,” he said. “I’m excited to see how it goes.”

Just another day with Urías on the move. He tends to bounce from one position to the next. Now, he can claim first base.

“Yeah, as soon as I got here,” he said. “I feel completely fine. It’s important for me to show that I can do it, so that will be an opportunity in my career.

“If we can play as many positions as we can, it’s always helpful for the team.”

Manager Brandon Hyde smoothly dropped Urías’ name into yesterday’s media session when asked about backup first basemen.

“He’s played the other three infield positions in the big leagues, he’s played first base in his minor league career,” Hyde said. “He’s got really good baseball awareness. Great hands, really good feet.

“We’re looking to give Mounty a day off. That’s all it is. Try to get Mounty off his feet and let him DH.

"Your options are really, move Tony into the infield, play McCann, who's played over there before, or take a look at Ramón, and we decided to go with Ramón."