masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgShortstop Freddy Galvis remains out of the Orioles lineup tonight, his day-to-day status extending at least to Saturday.
Ramón Urías is the shortstop for the series opener in Oakland. Pat Valaika is the second baseman.
Rio Ruiz is playing third base instead of Maikel Franco.
Austin Hays stays in left field and DJ Stewart stays in right. Ryan Mountcastle gets another start at first base, with Trey Mancini the designated hitter.
Left-hander John Means has allowed one run or fewer in eight…

Shortstop Freddy Galvis remains out of the Orioles lineup tonight, his day-to-day status extending at least to Saturday.

Ramón Urías is the shortstop for the series opener in Oakland. Pat Valaika is the second baseman.

Rio Ruiz is playing third base instead of Maikel Franco.

Austin Hays stays in left field and DJ Stewart stays in right. Ryan Mountcastle gets another start at first base, with Trey Mancini the designated hitter.

Means-Pitching-Back-at-TB-Gray-Sidebar.jpgLeft-hander John Means has allowed one run or fewer in eight of his last nine starts dating back to September.

Means has made two career starts against the Athletics and allowed two earned runs (six total) in 9 1/3 innings. They provided his most recent opposition and were held to one run and two hits in 6 1/3 innings.

He’s never pitched in Oakland.

Right-hander Mike Fiers is making his 2021 debut after beginning the month on the injured list with a lumbar strain. He’s 4-1 with a 1.93 ERA and 0.888 WHIP in five career starts against the Orioles.

Matt Chapman has a 21-game errorless streak and leads major league third basemen with a .989 fielding percentage.

For the Orioles
Cedric Mullins CF
Austin Hays LF
Trey Mancini DH
DJ Stewart RF
Ryan Mountcastle 1B
Rio Ruiz 3B
Pat Valaika 2B
Chance Sisco C
Ramón Urías SS

John Means LHP

For the Athletics
Mark Canha LF
Ramón Laureano CF
Jed Lowrie DH
Sean Murphy C
Matt Chapman 3B
Mitch Moreland 1B
Stephen Piscotty RF
Elvis Andrus SS
Tony Kemp 2B

Mike Fiers RHP

The full-season affiliates announced their break-camp rosters today, which can be adjusted Tuesday for minor league opening day.

Catcher Adley Rutschman is assigned to Double-A Bowie, as expected. Joining him are pitching prospects DL Hall, Kyle Bradish, Kevin Smith and Gray Fenter, and infielder Terrin Vavra.

Pitcher Grayson Rodriguez is joining high Single-A Aberdeen’s rotation. Low Single-A Delmarva is loaded with middle infield prospects – Gunnar Henderson, Darell Hernaiz, Anthony Servideo and Jordan Westburg.

Pitcher Mike Baumann is staying back in Sarasota, Fla., which suggests a health issue. We should find out more next week.

Baumann was pitching at spring training after being shut down at the alternate camp site last summer with a right flexor strain.

Triple-A Norfolk’s roster is missing catcher Nick Ciuffo, who broke a bone in his right hand two weeks ago after being hit by a pitch. The injury didn’t require surgery.

Update: Manager Brandon Hyde said Franco has some “bumps and bruises,” mainly soreness in his lower back, but is available off the bench. Hyde has been looking for a chance to rest him.

Franco hit and ran today and is available off the bench. He could return to the lineup this weekend.