Why don’t the Orioles play Austin Hays more? / MAILBAG

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.

Question: Why would the Orioles not play their best players and continue using Colton Cowser instead of Austin Hays?  Granted Cowser ruled April, but since then he has been awful, and sure, Hays stunk it up in April, but since then … lights out. It seems real obvious to me. Am I missing something? From: Luke Jessup

Answer: Luke, Hays has been lights out this season—against left-handers. Hays is batting .348 against left-handers and only .183 against right-handers.

Cowser provides excellent defense and speed in the outfield. While Hays is also an excellent defender, Cowser needs to play. As manager Brandon Hyde said on Monday, he’d like to play both Cowser, Hays and Heston Kjerstad more often, but the team has lots of fine players.

Question: When the O’s call up a minor leaguer to the major league during the season, does the team pay for a place for them to stay, such as a hotel, along with other expenses while the player remains with the team? Perhaps the team is required to do so for a set period of time? Also, when a player is called up, does that increase their salary to the major league minimum for the remainder of the year even after they are sent back down? From: Mark from the Eastern Shore

Answer: Mark, the Orioles and all major league teams are required to pay for a hotel for a player for the first seven days they’re with the team at home. Players who receive the league minimum are only paid at the major league salary when in the major leagues.