Orioles get Mountcastle back two days after return of Westburg and Urías
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NEW YORK—Orioles manager Brandon Hyde continues to get more of his frontline players back for the final games of the season. On Tuesday, the Orioles activated first baseman Ryan Mountcastle from the 10-day injured list.
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Mountcastle had been on the 10-day injured list with a sprained left wrist. He is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Yankees.
“We’re excited to have Mounty back,” Hyde said. “It just adds a really good righthanded hitter for us, a guy that’s got the ability to hit for power as well as a good hitter.
“Not in there to start the game tonight, but expect to see him in there and play a lot in these last six.”
Jordan Westburg, who’s playing second base, and Ramón Urías, who’s playing third, returned on Sunday and are in the lineup again.
“To see Westy and Urías out there a couple of days ago, they’re both playing really well,” Hyde said.
Westburg broke his right hand on July 31st.
“They played really well that day, also. They show what they add to our team and what we missed. Westy missed nearly the majority part of the second half, just the toughness that he brings, the competitiveness in the at-bats, the defense, the whole package at second or third base. It’s great to have him back.
“Urías was swinging the bat as well as anybody before he sprained his ankle there in Denver [on August 31st],” Hyde said. “Picked up right where he left off a couple of days ago.”
In the last nine days, two relievers, left-hander Danny Coulombe and right-hander Jacob Webb, also returned.
“Two guys that I relied on heavily the first half,” Hyde said. “A lot of success putting them in certain spots. Danny’s looked really good in his two appearances in the Detroit series and Webby’s going to be a big part of our bullpen, also.”
Notes: Starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez did not travel with the Orioles to New York. He remains on the 15-day injured list with right lat/teres discomfort. … To make room for Mountcastle, the Orioles optioned designated hitter Eloy Jiménez to Triple-A Norfolk. “I don’t think the sporadic playing time helped him,” Hyde said. “He was a guy who was used to playing every day the first four or five days of his career. He was in a little bit of a platoon role, a pinch-hit role, something he hadn’t done much of. Tough to get his rhythm and timing going after being hurt the first half.”