Orioles’ Hyde says Mullins is ‘really positive’ about sore hamstring; Basallo aiming for Spring Breakout

CLEARWATER, Florida—Orioles centerfielder Cedric Mullins’ right hamstring muscle is still sore, manager Brandon Hyde said on Tuesday, but there’s optimism that the injury isn’t serious.

“I think he’s really positive about it,” Hyde said. “It’s still a day-to-day-type thing. Obviously, we’re going to be cautious with a hamstring right now. We have a lot of time left in camp. It shouldn’t be an issue.”

Hyde said Mullins, who left Monday’s exhibition game against Minnesota in the bottom of the first after he reached second base on a walk and a groundout, could get an MRI from “a baseline standpoint. I talked to him before I came here,” Hyde said before Tuesday’s game against Philadelphia. “He feels good.”

Hyde said that the hamstring soreness wasn’t related to the injury Mullins suffered last season when he had two stints on the injured list with right adductor/groin strains.

“Hot day, it just tightened on him a little bit,” Hyde said. “I don’t think it’s anything overly serious at all.”

Basallo aims to play in Spring Breakout

Catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo took live batting practice at Twin Lakes Park for the first time this spring on Monday. The 19-year-old, who’s the Orioles’ No. 2 prospect behind Jackson Holliday, suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow in November.

“I felt really good, and I feel really good overall. I was happy I was able to return and play again,” Basallo said through a translator on Tuesday morning.

Basallo wants to play in the Spring Breakout game on March 14^th when the Orioles’ prospects face those of the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in Bradenton.

“I sure hope so, and those are the plans as of right now,” Basallo said.

The game will be televised on MLB Network at 7 p.m.

This is the first major league spring training for Basallo, who’s caught pitchers but has not thrown. He has someone else toss the ball back to the pitcher.

“I think I’ve been able to gain a lot out of this,” Basallo said. “This injury has actually done some good. It’s allowed me to work on some other things mentally.”

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said when spring training began that Basallo wouldn’t be able to catch in games until late April.

“I think that’s what the team and the medical staff want,” said Basallo, who’s eager to be a full participant.

“It’s been difficult, although I’ve gotten used to it now,” Basallo said. “But I would say at the start it was especially difficult … I’m a very active person. I like to get out there and do some different things. I would say at the start was the toughest.”

Basallo, who’s the 17^th-ranked prospect in baseball, finished his season at Double-A Bowie after starting at Single-A Delmarva and moving up to High-A Aberdeen last season.

“I’m just trying to improve upon what I did last year. God willing, the most important thing is staying healthy,” Basallo said.

Call for questions: I’ll be answering Orioles questions this week. Please email yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.