Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins exited Monday’s Grapefruit League contest against the Twins with discomfort in his hamstring, the team announced. Mullins drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second base on a grounder. He then walked off the field under his own power two pitches into the next at-bat. Enrique Bradfield Jr. replaced him on the bases.
Fortunately for O’s fans, it seems the situation is relatively minor. Manager Brandon Hyde called Mullins’ exit “precautionary” following the game (X link via Andy Kostka of the Baltimore Banner). Concern is low enough that the team isn’t even planning on performing an MRI or any other imaging to determine if there’s a more serious issue at play. Mullins is considered day-to-day for now, according to Hyde.
The 29-year-old Mullins has been a steady contributor on both sides of the ball for the Orioles over the past three seasons, although the 2023 campaign was his worst and, perhaps not coincidentally, least healthy of the three. Mullins had a pair of IL stints last season due to right groin strains, finishing out the season with a .233/.305/.416 slash (99 wRC+), 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases in 116 games. He missed only nine total games the two seasons prior, batting a combined .274/.339/.460 with 46 big flies and 64 steals. If there’s any sort of setback, infielder/outfielder Jorge Mateo and top outfield prospect Colton Cowser are on hand as options to see time in center field.
Mateo has traditionally been a shortstop, but the team has already suggested that the wealth of infield talent on the Baltimore roster will likely push Mateo into the outfield more frequently in 2024. The fleet-footed Mateo’s primary spot in recent years, shortstop, sounds as though it’ll be handled primarily by reigning AL Rookie of the Year Gunnar Henderson in 2024. While Henderson is capable of playing both shortstop and third base at a high level, the 22-year-old said yesterday that his playing time would be “leaning more toward shortstop” (X link via the Baltimore Sun’s Matt Weyrich).
Henderson has played shortstop, third base and (much more briefly) second base so far in the big leagues. He split his time between the two left-side infield positions nearly evenly in 2023, logging 594 innings at third base and 584 at shortstop. Defensive metrics touted his glovework at both spots, but he drew stronger marks at shortstop (particularly from Defensive Runs Saved, which pegged him at +10). Third base, then, will likely be left to a combination of Jordan Westburg, Ramon Urias and prospect Coby Mayo, though Mateo could also see time there. Current No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday has been playing second base this spring, while each of Westburg and Urias can play basically anywhere in the infield. Mayo’s primary position is third base, though there’s some thought he could eventually move to first base or an outfield corner. Regardless, he’s not yet on the 40-man roster.
Of course, a substantial part of the focus in Orioles camp right now is on right-hander Kyle Bradish, who’s currently attempting a rest/rehab approach to mending a sprain in his right ulnar collateral ligament. Bradish had a platelet-rich plasma injection before the O’s even publicly announced the injury, and Weyrich writes that he’s been throwing pain-free from flat ground.
While general manager Mike Elias struck an optimistic tone, he also preached caution and declined to place a timeline on the right-hander’s potential return. Bradish himself noted that follow-up MRIs have shown “accelerated healing” of the ligament so far, Weyrich writes, though that doesn’t yet mean he’s dodged a long-term absence. Bradish has yet to throw off a mound and currently isn’t throwing at full intensity. The early results are perhaps cause for some cautious optimism, but there’s a ways to go in the process.
For the time being, it doesn’t seem as though Bradish’s injury will prompt the Orioles to make another notable acquisition. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com downplayed the possibility of the Orioles signing a big-name free agent, writing that the team appears satisfied with its depth at present. Baltimore picked up Julio Teheran on a minor league deal late last week and could give him a look early in the season, but Kubatko more specifically noted that he’d be “floored” to see the O’s pursue an opt-out-laden deal with a top free agent like Jordan Montgomery.
Can we just bubble-wrap my favorite AL team and unpack them on Opening Day?
Thaaaaannnnkkkkssss
No
^ Yankees fan
Mullins always getting hurt.
Just kept him for my Fantasy Champs… please have a great year, Ced! Need a three-peat!
There’s a reason the O’s drafted a CF in the first round last year. I’m a O’s fan and love Ced but he’s injury prone, gonna be 30 and a free agent after next year. He’ll be gone within 2 years.
I predict the O’s let Ced walk in FA as well, but I’m also predicting another 30/30 season for him this year. Please please please! lol
I hope so cause then they can offer the QO
Wouldn’t surprise me, although it’s fair to expect the new owners, who should be approved within the next couple months, will be more aggressive spending.
Maybe the O’s can just give the entire team PRP treatments in an attempt to stave off these injuries. “A round of PRP for all my friends!”
Tehran is not the answer; a healthy Bradish is part of the puzzle
Monty or Snell would be ideal, and seemingly a no-brainer. UCL stuff isn’t pretty. I hope my pessimism goes down in flames though! Get well soon Kyle
Cedric Mullins: the speed of a 21 year old Billy Hamilton combined with the obp of a 24 year old Ricky Henderson combined with the defense of a 26 year old Kevin Kiermaier and the hustle of a 28 year old Peter Rose. In other words, one of the most underrated players in mlb history
Seems legit considering a 24-year-old Ricky Henderson had a .414 OBP while Mullins’ was .305 last year.
Different eras
Lol the “different eras” argument doesn’t help your case at all. Henderson with a .414 was second in MLB behind Boggs in OBP and his .414 OBP would have been second in the majors last year behind Acuna who posted a .416 OBP
Different stadiums
In “history”? You know, you’re covering about 155 years there. And I wouldn’t compare his “D” with Kiermaier nor his speed with Hamilton.
At least you acknowledged the hustle of Peter Rose
this exchange is way funnier than abbott & costello; nice job Kentucky!
I do believe we are all brought here on this earth with a purpose in mind. Figuring out exactly what that purpose, at least for me, is a whole nother story. Gulp.
I’ve been enjoying following the Orioles since 1964. Blair, Bumbry, Adam Jones and, now Ced stand out from the rest that have patrolled CF for the Birds over the decades. All 4 productive cogs during winning times for sure but, just as important, done with graceful style. IMO, these gentleman figured out early in life their purpose here on earth and pursued it. Jealous!
Great share Owensboro. Mullins was born to be a CF at the highest level of competition. Love his first step at the crack of the bat. Here’s hoping these recent upper leg issues are not debilitating.
Right there with you, Buddy. Just maybe a few years younger, no offense. I remember watching in ’69 as a 6 yo. Brooks,Frank and Boog… ah,good times!
Oh man, we were spoiled rotten back then.
When I look back on that era, I can’t help but to think about the Orioles new majority owner in waiting Rothenstein (sp?). He says he’s a life long Os fan. If so, he’s gotta remember the owner back then. Mr. Hoffberger. When Mr H was around, he always left his ego at the front door of Memorial Stadium. Ya know, kept out of the way and let his baseball people make the baseball decisions.
Hey new owner guy, try your best to always remember to check the ole ego before entering the hallowed grounds of OPACY. Please.
Brady was another excellent CF for Baltimore.
Mullins is a guy guy, really hope he’s healthy for 2024, he’d be a big factor in helping the Orioles win the division again. I have to root for an AL team seeing as how the White Sox will be in what I call tryouts mode for 2024…
He is a “guy guy”? Stutter much?
No, stutter. Never heard the phrase before? It’s slang I suppose. My group of friends say it all the time. I don’t know, I’ve heard it since I was in high school in Chicago.
Is it guy’s guy or guy guy? Wonder how the French would say it?
Nope, never heard the phrase “guy guy” because it doesn’t exist. Is this 178IQ’s alternate account?
With all due respect, Roch is not an “insider” of any sort. He’s just a pawn of the warehouse and regurgitates whatever they tell him, meaning what they want him to know.
Skinsdork, don’t come for Roch. He’s golden.
Baked – LOL. Golden? Per who exactly?
I thought it was hilarious he got so butt hurt he wasn’t in the know on and didn’t break the Burnes trade news.
Skinsdork, he’s a great beat writer. Entertaining. Sorry you wanna nitpick on a bonafide good dude, but go ahead and be stuffy.
Baked potatoes, I’m not nitpicking anything. I enjoy his articles too. I didn’t say anything about his beat writing. The article above alludes to him having some sort of insider knowledge or being that type of go to source, which many casual readers may not know that he’s not that. He’s far from it. Thats not a bad thing. He’s what you said he is. A good dude and beat writer.
Thanks for the sporting reply. I’d wager that Roch has a wealth of insider tracking with the O’s brass, but due to his job description isn’t necessarily what’s considered a source for the rumor mill. However, he’s a wonderful daily fountain of O’s content. Just not sure why folks would dog on him.
Are you the one who’d follow me around and troll every post or comment I’d make about Angelos being a horrible person? If so, your comment about me not making logical comments makes sense. If not, I’m not sure what to tell you. Is it that my comments could be logical, but go against your opinion, so you choose to disagree? There’s a big difference.
Regardless, I agree. Roch is not in the rumor mill know or game. That’s what I was referring to when I said he’s not an insider since the writer mentioned him in that realm.
As much as I like Volpe, picking him instead of Henderson is probably going to be a mistake in the long run.
Already is.
Bradish sounds like TSJ waiting to happen and you can’t count on Means making a come back. Wells and Irvin are okay fillers and have some upside, but they really should be making some calls about Montgomery. He won’t cost a draft pick and they’ve got room in the payroll. By the time the young O’s are making serious money, guys like Santander, Mullins, Hays, and Mountcastle will be gone. It makes too much sense not to be interested. Of course, if Montgomery wants stupid money then he can watch the O’s from elsewhere.
This has been exactly my stance on Monty anyway, even before the Bradish and Means news. It just makes too much sense. Then again it’s not my money and they are probably hamstrung by the sale not being approved and complete.
Well, he wants stupid money. Now what?
A bit surprised the Orioles didn’t bring Hicks back. He did well for them and he only cost league minimum. Perhaps it was as much Hicks’ decision as he’s guaranteed $10 million this year no matter where he plays and maybe he decided to pick a team out west and one where he knew he’d get more playing time, yet he left a really good winning situation.
Hicks grew up less than 30 minutes from the Angels stadium. Definitely chose the Angels to go back home.
He would have probably been 7th at best on their outfield depth chart.
And still hitting third, daily
Aaron Hicks tallied ZERO Plate Appearance batting 3rd for the Orioles. Nice try, though.
Playing time also. He played a lot last season, but with everyone healthy and young turks knocking down door.
Oriolesmight have thought they got lightning in a bottle and he may revert back into a pumpkin.
Curious…anyone know how often is the platelet-rich plasma route actually successful?
It depends on what grade of sprain it is. A type 1 sprain, it has success rates over 80% whereas a type 3 sprain has success rates under 10%. Unfortunately we as fans don’t have access to the medicals so that information isn’t too helpful.
I think if was towards a 3 they might had had surgery already because it a 12-18 month recovery and the more they wait the more games they lose next year.
It’s technically up to the player though, Jack. Only they know how they really feel…
Yeah I am hoping for a 1 or 2 because those odds of coming back are pretty good. I think the comforting part is that the front office likely knows what the chances of Bradish coming back are and can plan accordingly.
This is horrible syntax:
“Third base, then, will likely be left to a combination…”
But what else is new from Adams? Writing the sentence as “third base will then likely be left to a combination…” flows much better.
Better still, delete the word, “then,”
Totally. It’s almost always unnecessary.