Orioles plan to bring back shortstop Gunnar Henderson against Royals

BALTIMORE — There was hope that Gunnar Henderson would be batting leadoff and playing shortstop in Thursday afternoon’s game against the Boston Red Sox. But the Orioles have decided to delay his return from the injured list because of a strained intercostal muscle until this weekend, when the team will play a three-game series in Kansas City.

Manager Brandon Hyde said it was “probable” that Henderson will play Friday against the Royals. Henderson wasn’t in the Orioles’ clubhouse before Thursday’s game, and Hyde said it was a scheduled rest day after he played Wednesday night for Norfolk.

“This is a scheduled offday, travel day for him,” Hyde told reporters before Thursday’s game. “Played a couple in a row, got cut a little bit short last night because of weather, but this offday today was kind of in his rehab schedule. But should be in there tomorrow.

“I think everybody’s looking forward to having Gunnar back on the team. The rehab went really, really well. I talked to him a couple days ago. He feels great, swinging the bat, his timing came, especially the last few days. He just had to get out there and get some reps defensively and get some games in, and it all went well.”

Hyde was asked if Henderson would be an everyday player when he returns. “We’ll see,” he said. “I’m just gonna be talking with him every single day and with the training staff. Love to give guys days off when we can because of this marathon season that we’re in.”

The Orioles will bat centerfielder Cedric Mullins in the leadoff position on Thursday and play Jackson Holliday at shortstop.

Here’s Thursday’s lineup against Boston starter Tanner Houck:

Mullins CF

Rutschman C

Westburg 2B

O’Hearn 1B

O’Neill DH

Kjerstad RF

Holliday SS

Urias 2B

Carlson LF

Notes: Dean Kremer, Tomoyuki Sugano and Cade Povich will start against the Royals.