Mullins makes leadoff debut in Cleveland

Rookie meets with former Indians star Lofton; Gentry activated

CLEVELAND — Just a week into his major league career, Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins made his leadoff debut Friday night against Cleveland — a move that not-so-coincidentally came on a day he met longtime Indians star Kenny Lofton before the game.

“I just thought it was a good matchup,” manager Buck Showalter said. “I wanted him to get five or six or seven games, whatever it’s been, under his belt. On the road, right-handed pitcher starting — it’s a good spot for him. And I thought he might spend some time with Kenny Lofton today. [First base coach Wayne] Kirby and Kenny and Cedric — there are reasons why. I always saw Lofton as one of the great leadoff hitters I ever saw. It’s great to see him talking in there with Cedric. It’s a process. It’s a journey with guys like Cedric, and it’s another part of what he hope is a good foundation for him.”

Kirby, who played with Lofton in Cleveland from 1991 to 1996, arranged the meeting in the Orioles clubhouse. Showalter listened in from his office and said that one of the things that stood out to him was Lofton’s message of knowing yourself as a player and attacking weaknesses as they emerge to become a complete player.

That such a message can be delivered from a six-time All-Star in Lofton to Mullins, whois batting .400 (8-for-20) with four doubles in six major league games, is part of what makes Showalter hope the young outfielder can grow into a significant role with the Orioles. He said Mullins has “got achancetobe” that kind of traditional leadoff hitter that Showalter often laments the lack of aroundthegame.

“There’s a lot of roads to cross,” Showalter said. “You could read four, five different reports on what everyone wants to say that he’s going to be. What’s he going to become? I just want to know, like I’ve said manytimes, that they’re going to bewhattheycanbe. I’m very confident Cedric will be what he can be. He’s got a lot of the old-school characteristics that you look for in leadoff hitters.”

He certainly has plenty of experience — Mullins has hit leadoff in all but eight of his 376 minor league games since the Orioles selected him in the 13th round of the 2015 major league draft.

GENTRYACTIVATED: TheOrioles activated outfielder Craig Gentry from the disabled list Friday for their series opener against the Cleveland Indians as veteran outfielder AdamJoneswentonthebereavementlist, the team announced.

Gentry hit .244 with a .607 OPS and 10 steals in 13 chances before he suffered a fractured rib when he was hit with a pitch, and went on the disabled list June 27. He had nine hits in 23 at-bats on his rehabilitation assignment at Double-A Bowie and High-A Frederick, and will join the right field mix in Jones’ absence along with Joey Rickard and Jace Peterson.

“We’ve missed Craig,” Showalter said. “Just to have his presence around, especially some of the younger players that we have — not only position players but pitchers. He’s a consummate pro, he’s always ready, and he’s a guy that I’m sure a lot of clubs this time of year would love to have on their team.”

Jones had a death in the family that he needed to attend to, and could miss the entire weekend series. Showalter said he expects him back Monday when the team begins a series in Toronto.

Additionally, the Orioles summoned right-hander Ryan Meisinger from Triple-A Norfolk to keep their bullpen at eight relievers after right-hander Evan Phillips was optioned to the Tides following Wednesday’s game. Meisinger, a Dunkirk native, made four major league appearances earlier this season, allowing two runs on four hits with five strikeouts in six innings. He was activated from Norfolk’s disabled list Monday after missing two weeks with a shoulder strain, but has pitched twice since then.

AROUND THE HORN: Several Orioles players brought their fathers onthis weekend’s trip to Cleveland, the first such fathers’ trip the Orioles have had under Showalter. … Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who finished his career with the Orioles in 2012, will have his number retired by the Indians at Progressive Field before today’s game. … The Orioles named rookie Yefry Ramírez as their starting pitcher for Sunday afternoon’s series finale in Cleveland. Cedric Mullins