Hays no longer ticketed for Arizona Fall League

BOSTON - The Orioles have changed their plans regarding outfielder Austin Hays, choosing to shut him down after today's game instead of sending him to the Arizona Fall League.

Hays had been part of the Surprise Saguaros' roster until the Orioles learned that they could recall him this month prior to the assignment - a new rule implemented by Major League Baseball.

The decision is based on Hays' at-bats, a total that's reached 415 with the 64 that he's accumulated with the Orioles. He's in the lineup again today.

Part of the offseason will be spent evaluating the coaching staff and deciding whether any changes are coming. Manager Brandon Hyde doesn't know when the situation will become clearer.

"We've talked a little bit about it, but I think Mike (Elias) is going to evaluate things after the season," Hyde said. "It's more of a question for him, to be honest with you."

Hyde is happy with the work done by the staff, which had to be assembled in a rapid manner after the late hirings.

"They've been fantastic," Hyde said. "They've been incredibly supportive. It's a worker group and it's a grind group.

"When we were putting the staff together we kind of targeted these types of guys and they've been just amazing. Player development guys. They've created great relationships with our players. I think that there's always been a good vibe in our clubhouse and a good vibe on the field and in our dugout. I think our players have said, too, that those guys had a lot to do with that. So I've just been very, very fortunate in my first year to have the group around me that I've had."

The Orioles are trying to close out the season with their first sweep since Aug. 27-29, 2018. They'll need to deny left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez his 20th win.

"I think that they're ready to play," Hyde said. "We've played really well the last couple of games and it's great to see our team finish strong. Be great to get a sweep today, but we're just going to focus on what we've done all year and that's compete. We're facing a really good starting pitcher. But yeah, it would feel great to get a win today if possible and finish this season on a great note."

It's been a sad morning for Hyde after he learned that the Cubs fired close friend Joe Maddon. Hyde, the team's former bench coach, reached out to Maddon earlier today.

"He's going to be celebrated in Chicago for a long time," Hyde said. "I love him. He's a class guy who did amazing things there and nobody is ever going to take away three National League Championship Series in a row and a World Series in '16 and the postseason four years in a row. Completely changing the culture there.

"There are a lot of special memories, so I'm happy for him. Talking to him, I think he's in a really good place. He's going to go down as a Chicago legend.

"Joe's going to have opportunities. I think Joe can write his ticket where he wants to go. He's an incredible manager, an incredible man. Yeah, it kind of hits you in the face a little bit, someone like that gets let go. This is a business and it will happen to everybody. It will happen to me at some point. But it's a strange day a little bit for me."