After leaving Monday’s game due to a sore right hamstring, center fielder Cedric Mullins of the Orioles anticipates being back in the starting lineup next week.
After Mullins’ MRI, the results were “clean,” removing any possibility of a prolonged absence.
“Almost what I anticipated,” he remarked this morning. We turned it off just to be cautious because it seemed like a cramp. Basically, what I believed transpired, thus the only thing left to do is release the tension.
“We’ll probably slow-play it a little bit, but I expect myself to be back in games sometime next week. Pretty soon.”
Austin Hays will start in center field in tonight’s game in Sarasota against the Pirates. Mullins has stolen a base and is 2-for-9 with four walks.
Opening Day isn’t until March 28, giving Mullins plenty of time to get ready for the start of the season.
“Yeah, 100 percent,” he said. “Swing’s been feeling good, I feel like I’ve been having good at-bats. Once I get the green, I’ll be back doing lives on the back fields and things like that. I feel like I’m putting together a lot of at-bats, still plenty of time left.”
Mullins went on the injured list twice last season with adductor/groin strains, but he knew Monday after reaching second base that the discomfort wasn’t related or a recurrence.
“I had a strong feeling that it wasn’t as big a deal,” he said. “I feel like other injuries in the past have had some form of lead or build up. This wasn’t that. Coming off what felt like one of the hotter days that we’ve had during spring, did a decent amount of work beforehand to get ready, just trying to get my work in. Might have overexerted myself just a little bit, which led to dehydration.”
Manager Brandon Hyde said he’s “hopeful” that Mullins plays next week.
“We’re definitely going to take it slow with him and not rush him back,” Hyde said, “but it’s getting a little better every day and we just want to be careful with him.”
Pitchers Dylan Heid, Ryan Hennen, Kade Strowd, Houston Roth, and Ryan Watson, as well as infielders Greg Cullen and Anthony Servideo, are extras from minor league camp.
Grayson Rodriguez gets the start Friday night in Sarasota against the Tigers, while the Orioles are off on Thursday.
Hyde stated that the team would make its first round of camp cuts “in the next week or two,” but he did not specify when.