Broxton making Orioles debut tonight

DENVER - Keon Broxton has joined the Orioles and is starting in center field tonight for the series opening game against the Rockies.

Broxton is batting sixth between Rio Ruiz and Hanser Alberto.

Chris Davis is on the bench against Rockies right-hander Jeff Hoffman and Trey Mancini is handling first base. Stevie Wilkerson stays in the lineup as the right fielder and is batting second.

Another game brings another new lineup, with Broxton added and no designated hitter for the series.

Since going 2-for-3 on May 10 and raising his average to .193, Davis is 5-for-40 with 24 strikeouts and he's slashing .172/.259/.320. The frustration boiled over yesterday after another strikeout, with Davis attempting twice to break the bat over his knee before slamming it to the ground with his helmet.

Davis was on the field this week for more early work with hitting coach Don Long.

"I just think it's rhythm and timing with him," said manager Brandon Hyde. "He's trying to feel good, trying to stay inside the baseball, trying to be on time. And that's what I've seen with Chris a lot is when he was struggling early and his last handful of games, just late on the heater and chasing off-speed underneath. So trying to get in a good hitting position and allow his hands to work. So that's what he's working on."

Left-handed hitters are 4-for-33 with 13 strikeouts versus John Means, who makes his first interleague start tonight.

Pitching coach Doug Brocail is missing tonight's game and bullpen coach John Wasdin is missing the Saturday and Sunday games to attend graduation ceremonies for their children.

Minor league pitching coordinator Chris Holt will serve as pitching coach tonight and bullpen coach the next two games. Florida and Latin America pitching coordinator Dave Schmidt will serve as bullpen coach tonight.

For the Orioles
Jonathan Villar SS
Stevie Wilkerson RF
Trey Mancini 1B
Dwight Smith Jr. LF
Rio Ruiz 3B
Keon Broxton CF
Hanser Alberto 2B
Pedro Severino C
John Means LHP

The Orioles are listing their starters for the series against the Tigers that begins Monday as TBD, Dylan Bundy and Means. Dan Straily's turn is Monday.

Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Jaycob Brugman has been released after coming off the injured list.