Mullins back in lineup after special trip
Rookie center fielder visits Negro Leagues Baseball Museum
KANSAS CITY, MO. – Orioles rookie center fielder Cedric Mullins returned to the lineup in his now-customary leadoff spot Friday after a couple of days off to nurse a hip injury — and after experiencing one of the benefits of an early arrival in Kansas City.
Mullins, 23, was part of a sizable contingent of Orioles players and coaches to take a trip to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum on Friday morninginKansasCity, somethingMullins said wasstriking in its scope.
“Growing up, I got a lot of tidbits on Negro League baseball history, but to beable to get the full script basically of howeverythingunfolded, it was awesome,” Mullins said. “Just definitely looking at the statues of all the greats taking the field, and just being able to learn each of their histories, one at a time. It was almost overwhelming.”
Mullins was part of a group that included right fielder Adam Jones, reliever Mychal Givens, pitching coach Roger McDowell and right-hander Alex Cobb. He said he had some background on the names immortalized at the museum, but appreciated the depth of information there.
“Those are some of the guys that were brought to my attention pretty early, and to be able to learn about just a wide span of players who came up in that time, it was pretty fun,” Mullins said. “Just how society was back then, those guys, for their love of the game, to be able to go out and continue to do what they did was something that I can’t relate to, except for just enjoying the game and having fun.”
Mullins has started just one of the Orioles’ past four games — Monday — but said he’s ready to get back into the mix Friday.
“I’m feeling good,” he said. “I’m excited to get back out. I’ve been with the trainers, we’ve had some intense treatment going on, but I feel really good.” Surgery set for Trumbo: Orioles outfielder-designated hitter Mark Trumbo will have knee surgery Thursday or Friday in Baltimore with team doctor Leigh Ann Curl, Showalter said.
Trumbo went on the disabled list Aug. 20 after the team’s efforts to nurse him through his knee injury didn’t help it subside. He had multiple opinions, including one in California, but he opted for surgery. Roster moves: The Orioles paved the way for their Sept. 1 roster expansion ahead of Friday’s game with the Kansas City Royals, designating outfielder Craig Gentry for assignment and outrighting reliever Jhan Mariñez off the 40-man roster.
Gentry, 34, has started eight of the Orioles’ 13 games since he came off the disabled list for his fractured rib in an effort to get him some playing time ahead of the Aug. 31 waiver trade deadline, which is the last day teams can acquire a player and have him be eligible for the postseason.
He hit .364 (12-for-33) with just his seventh career home run in that spell while stealing two bases to bring his season average to .269.
“Hopefully, he’ll get an opportunity with a club contending, and we’ll continue to get some good looks,” Showalter said.
The Orioles tried to shop Gentry around, but couldn’t find any takers. He’dhavetoclear waivers andsign with another club before midnight to be eligible for the playoffs with that team.
Joey Rickard came up from Triple-ANorfolk to take Gentry’s roster spot. Rickard, 27, is batting .227 with a .708 OPS and a career-high seven homerunsinthemajorsthisseason, andis upfor the fourth time in 2018.
Mariñez, 30, was with the Orioles last weekend as a depth option, but wasn’t activated off the disabled list.
He’d beenonthedisabled list since Aug. 3withahamstring injury and has pitched three times since returning to Triple-A Norfolk earlier this week. The Orioles outrighted him to Norfolk to finish out the season there.
The moves put the Orioles at 38 players on their 40-man roster, leaving a pair of spaces to add from off the major league roster when rosters expand today. Options include right-hander Branden Kline, right-hander Luis Ortiz and outfielder DJ Stewart.