Orioles activate center fielder Cedric Mullins, recall left-hander Nick Vespi before Mariners series – The Denver Post

Before his latest rehabilitation assignment, Cedric Mullins last played for the Bowie Baysox in 2019, when he plummeted from the top of the Orioles’ opening day lineup down to Double-A. In his return there, this time as he worked his way back from a second right groin strain, he carried the same goal he did then.

“Just focusing on what I needed to do to get back up,” he said.

Mullins delivered those words from the visitor’s clubhouse at T-Mobile Park, with the Orioles activating their center fielder before a series with a Seattle Mariners team that entered on a seven-game winning streak. Baltimore also recalled left-handed reliever Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk while optioning outfielder Ryan McKenna and right-handed reliever Joey Krehbiel.

Mullins was out for nearly a month after aggravating his right groin strain July 15, having missed 20 games after initially suffering the injury May 29.

The 2021 All-Star, batting .259/.347/.454 with nine home runs and 14 steals, appeared in only 16 games for the Orioles across June and July. He said his return to running went “a lot smoother” this time than it did after the initial strain, giving him more confidence in his health and he looks to boost the Orioles down the stretch.

“I know as soon as I step on the field, I’m 100% go,” Mullins said.

With both Mullins and Aaron Hicks (left hamstring strain) on the IL, Baltimore has struggled to get production from its center fielders. Having McKenna and rookie Colton Cowser primarily handle the position, Orioles center fielders have hit .163/.250/.209 in 15 games since Hicks went on the IL on July 25, with their collective .459 OPS being the fourth lowest among MLB teams in that span. All-Star left fielder Austin Hays and shortstop Jorge Mateo have also filled in at the position.

Hicks is expected to rejoin the Orioles during next week’s series in San Diego, serving as the designated hitter for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday to begin his rehab assignment. Mullins batted fifth and played center for the Orioles, with Cowser batting ninth and playing left.

Of Mullins’ 65 starts this year, 45 have come as Baltimore’s leadoff hitter. Catcher Adley Rutschman has occupied that spot in 13 straight games since manager Brandon Hyde moved him atop the lineup.

“He’s a high on-base guy,” Mullins said of Rutschman. “Not as much of a stolen-base threat, but sometimes it doesn’t really matter in the leadoff guy.”

Hyde was undecided Friday whether Rutschman would remain his leadoff hitter or if Mullins would eventually return there, saying he was simply happy to have Mullins back among his starting nine.

“Doesn’t matter where, he adds so much,” Hyde said. “Power, speed factor. He’s driven in a ton of runs this year. … We hope he can stay healthy for us the rest of the year, but he’s a big part of our club and a huge impact for us offensively and defensively.”

Vespi likewise addresses a need. With Danny Coulombe going on the IL with left biceps tendinitis and Cole Irvin entering a six-man rotation, Baltimore was left with Cionel Pérez as its lone left-handed reliever. Pérez pitched in the final two games of Baltimore’s series with the Houston Astros, likely making him unavailable Friday.

Vespi has a 3.00 ERA across five major league appearances this season, with a 2.27 Triple-A ERA after he didn’t allow an earned run in 26 appearances at that level in 2022. The Orioles have optioned Vespi three times since the start of the season; teams are able to option players five times during a campaign before being required to place them on waivers to send them to the minors.

“It’s tough at times, but it comes with the job,” Vespi said. “Hopefully, one day, I can stick up here and be an everyday guy, but until then, keep my nose down, I’ll keep working hard and wait for the opportunity.”

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