This, that and the other

MINNEAPOLIS – The absence of an opposing left-handed starter in the Twins series could allow manager Brandon Hyde to do less juggling with his lineup. Jackson Holliday might stay at second base. Heston Kjerstad might stay in left or right field. Ryan O’Hearn could keep getting starts as the designated hitter or at first base.

Matchups don’t factor much at third base. Hyde can play a hunch or the No. 2 prospect in the system

Coby Mayo started last night over Emmanuel Rivera – both right-handed hitters with pop who provide options while Jordan Westburg and Ramón Urías are on the injured list. And that’s the only time that “options” is used with Rivera, who’s out of them.

Mayo is 0-for-8 since the Orioles recalled him over the weekend, including a called third strike last night on a ball out of the zone. He also struck out swinging twice to complete his 0-for-3 night. Rivera is 2-for-8 with a home run after slashing .313/.370/.578 last year in 27 games.

“Just going to kind of play it a little bit by ear and give Mayo a little bit of an opportunity,” Hyde said after Sunday’s loss to the Royals. “He came in late (Saturday) night, that’s why he didn’t play. But kind of pick my matchup a little bit until we get Urías and Westy back.”

Rivera is more productive and the Orioles are trying to recover from a terrible start, but Mayo can’t be buried as the No. 12 prospect in baseball in MLB Pipeline’s rankings. He can’t just sit if he’s here. He’s got to play consistently in the majors or at Triple-A.

Mayo was pressing last summer and went 4-for-41 with 22 strikeouts over multiple stints with the club. He has to start in order to get a fresh one, but last night was rough, including a pair of fielding errors.

Hyde didn’t want to examine Mayo’s performance and approach when asked to do so yesterday, citing a limited number of at-bats and saying, “Just let him go play.”

For however long that he’s in the majors.

Westburg will have a few workout days with Triple-A Norfolk and get into their lineup later this week. He’s ahead of Urías, who’s showing improvement since straining his right hamstring. Mayo and Rivera could be gone after Urías is ready – one optioned, the other designated for assignment again. Who goes first if they’re the only infielders at risk?

The organization seemed to be encouraged by Mayo’s progress at the infield corners, but he mishandled a bouncer behind the bag in the third inning and a ground ball to his left in the seventh. He made a few nice plays since his return, including a backhand stop and throw, and a clean pickup of a sharp grounder to start a double play. He also charged a ball and got the out.

“It’s an area where there was a need to get better,” Hyde said before the game, “and he’s put a lot of time and work in, and I saw some improvements this spring.”

There isn’t an exact number of reps that young players need to find their footing in the majors. The Orioles can’t flip to the perfect recipe.

“I think it’s anybody,” Hyde said. “Guys show up in the big leagues and are ready at totally different times. Some guys are ready to go right out of the gate, some guys, it takes a few years.”

Hyde used the Tigers’ Spencer Torkelson as an example - the first-overall pick in the 2020 draft, one spot ahead of Kjerstad, who was optioned in June 2024.

“Some swing adjustments he made over this offseason,” Hyde said. “Had to make the team. And we just saw he’s made big-time swing adjustments and killing it right now for Detroit.

“You never know when a guy gets here when it’s gonna click for him. Sometimes, it takes guys longer than others.”

* Cade Povich had registered a 2.08 ERA in 34 2/3 innings against the American League Central before last night. It jumped to 2.88 after the Twins scored five runs in six innings – all of them in the third.

His ERA was the lowest by an Orioles starter against the division, created in 1994, in a minimum five starts, according to STATS. Now it’s fifth.

Kyle Bradish is first at 2.51 and he’s expected to get back into the rotation later in the second half. Steve Trachsel is second at 2.68, Jimmy Key is third at 2.79, and Corbin Burnes is fourth at 2.83.

Povich’s next turn falls on Sunday in Anaheim. The Orioles are off the next day and host the Twins Tuesday night. Looks like he’ll miss the Central.

* The Orioles struck out 17 times, their 12th double-digit total this season.

They hadn't fanned that many times since May 14, 2023 against the Pirates.

* Ryan Mountcastle has a 12-game hitting streak against the Twins after last night's RBI double.

Mountcastle is 20-for-45 (.444) with a 1.225 OPS during a streak that began May 4, 2022.

Last night marked Mountcastle's first road RBI since April 7 in Arizona.

* Charlie Morton was going to start or be a bulk reliever tonight. Those were the two choices.

Morton is starting, his sixth after going 0-5 in the rotation and losing his first relief appearance.

Morton has a 4.50 ERA in four career starts against the Twins and a 4.50 ERA in two starts at Target Field. Christian Vázquez is 3-for-22 with two doubles, a home run and nine strikeouts.