Zimmermann unable to start due to injury

Orioles left-hander Bruce Zimmermann no longer is a candidate, and the overwhelming favorite, to make Sunday afternoon's start in Boston.

Zimmermann was expected to be reinstated from the injured list, but an ankle sprain is keeping him off the active roster.

Manager Brandon Hyde provided the surprising update in today's media Zoom call while also naming left-hander Keegan Akin as Sunday's starter to close out the series.

"Bruce Zimmermann had a training accident," Hyde said. "He sprained his ankle doing some sort of exercise in the last couple days, so he was definitely a possibility to start here coming up, but with the sprained ankle, he's not able to."

Zimmermann made three rehab starts in the minors and tossed five hitless innings in his last outing at Triple-A Norfolk. He hasn't pitched for the Orioles since June 13 due to left biceps tendinitis.

The Orioles intend to put Zimmermann back into the rotation when he's ready.

Akin has lasted only three innings in each of his last three starts and is clinging to his roster spot with an 8.23 ERA and 1.793 WHIP in 54 2/3 innings. He made a Sept. 22, 2020 start at Fenway Park and allowed two earned runs and four total with eight hits, no walks and six strikeouts in four innings.

Cedric Mullins, with a 20-game hitting streak on the line, is just getting a rest day this afternoon. His 48 hits against left-handers are tied for the second-most in the majors.

"That's all it is, day off," Hyde said. "He'll be ready to come off the bench."

Ryan Mountcastle remains on the concussion list, but is progressing. He may be able to avoid a rehab assignment and jump back into the Orioles lineup.

"It's really going to be dependent on how long he's going to be out," Hyde said.

"He's made huge strides the last few days, so every day has been better. They ramped up his activity today. He responded extremely well. Going to do some baseball activity stuff starting tomorrow, see how he reacts to that, and hopefully it's not too much longer after that."

Left-hander Zac Lowther, on Norfolk's injured list with a strained left shoulder, begins a rehab assignment Monday with one of the Rookie-level Florida Complex League teams. Hopefully, the one that doesn't keep getting its games rained out.

Reliever Hunter Harvey, also in Sarasota, threw to hitters this morning.

"He is progressing well," Hyde said. "We're hoping he's going to leave Sarasota soon, going on a little bit of a rehab assignment, but he's getting very close."