Orioles’ Mullins off to strong start; Westburg, O’Neill out of lineup; Elias says Hyde picks lineups

BALTIMORE—Centerfielder Cedric Mullins is off to a strong start. He’s leading the Orioles in every important offensive stat, and he’s possibly setting himself up for a big payday as a free agent, whether in Baltimore or elsewhere.

The 30-year-old Mullins is hitting .300 with a 1.055 OPS with four home runs and 17 RBIs. He’s stolen three bases in four attempts and drawn 10 walks.

“This the best I’ve seen Ced play for a while now,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “He’s healthy, and that’s going to be important, to keep him healthy. He’s playing with a ton of confidence now. His at-bats are incredibly competitive. He’s playing with a ton of fire and energy, and his defense is fantastic.”

In 2021, Mullins became the first Oriole to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in the same season.

Hyde sees Mullins as being “motivated in a lot of ways. This is the Ced we saw in spurts the last couple of years. I think a big part of that is his health. His legs feel good, and I’ve got to try to keep them that way.”

Mullins’ agent, Robin Cope, told The Athletic that there have not been any extension talks with the Orioles. Mullins would like to stay with the team.

“A hundred percent. Being drafted by Baltimore and just knowing what Baltimore and the city has offered me and my family over the course of my career has been nothing short of amazing,” Mullins said. “To have those negotiations take place is all in timing, but right now, focus on the day-to-day of bringing wins to the clubhouse.”

Westburg out of lineup: Jordan Westburg is not in the lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Cleveland Guardians. He’s 1 for his last 20.

“I just think it’s a little bit of press,” Hyde said. “He got banged up in that Toronto series, early. He’s had some minor things and tried to play through it. I think he feels better now. Trying to see him catch up, I see him pressing through his at-bats a little bit. He also got punched out twice on two balls below the zone. That doesn’t help, either.”

O’Neill scratched: Outfielder Tyler O’Neill was scratched from the Orioles’ lineup because of neck discomfort. Heston Kjerstad, who was supposed to start in left field, will play right in place of O’Neill, and Ramón Laureano will play left.

Lineup tinkering:  On Tuesday, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said that the Orioles’ front office doesn’t dictate lineups to Hyde.

“I am not involved with lineups,” Elias said. “Our front office produces information that helps Brandon and the advanced team that works with Brandon to choose the lineups on a nightly basis. But our philosophy is that the guys in the clubhouse should be deciding that, and they’re the ones that are the closest to the information that have a feel for the players on a night-to-night basis.”

Right-handed hitters Jorge Mateo, Gary Sánchez and Laureano have been in the lineup against left-handers, and haven’t produced.

“The front office signed right-handed hitters to complement and try to help us against left-handed starters and left-handed back-end bullpen arms,” Hyde said. “I’m going to give those guys opportunity early in the year …I ’m going to give the right-handed bats that we signed to try to help us.”

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