Jordan Westburg and Austin Hays were sidelined for last night’s game due to knee soreness, but both players are set to return to action soon. Westburg, who had been dealing with a bruised left hip from a collision with Juan Soto at Yankee Stadium, experienced discomfort in his knee after a tag play during Thursday night’s game.
However, after undergoing agility drills and stretching with head athletic trainer Brian Ebel, Westburg confirmed he felt good and was back in the lineup tonight, according to manager Brandon Hyde.
Hays, who sustained a knee injury while chasing a fly ball earlier in the week, is expected to return for Sunday’s game against Rangers left-hander Andrew Heaney. Despite a deep laceration and swelling, Hays has been recovering well and may even be available off the bench tonight.
Manager Hyde acknowledged the challenges of playing short-handed, especially with catcher Adley Rutschman receiving treatment for a sore finger. However, Rutschman is slated to start behind the plate tonight, bolstering the team’s lineup.
Meanwhile, Connor Norby, who briefly joined the Orioles as part of the 24-hour taxi squad, is likely returning to Triple-A Norfolk with Westburg and Hays avoiding the injured list. Reflecting on his time with the major league team, Norby expressed gratitude for the opportunity and emphasized his commitment to improving his game, particularly defensively.
As the Orioles navigate through injuries and roster adjustments, they maintain a positive outlook heading into their upcoming series against the Rangers, where they have historically performed well with a 15-6 record in regular-season matchups.
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