WASHINGTON – Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins and second baseman Rougned Odor aren’t in tonight’s lineup, which is explained by the opposing pitcher.

Manager Brandon Hyde is going with a predominantly right-handed lineup against Nationals lefty Patrick Corbin. Ryan McKenna gets the start in center field and Ramón Urías stays at second base.

The only left-handed bat belongs to rookie Gunnar Henderson, who starts at third base.

Odor’s right hand wasn’t wrapped today. Mullins was hit on the right hand last night and stayed in the game.

“There’s a pretty good chance you’ll see them both in there at some point,” Hyde said.

WASHINGTON – The Orioles will attempt to complete their two-game sweep of the Nationals tonight after losing back-to-back series. They’re five games behind the Rays and Mariners for the last wild card.

Their 74 wins are the most for any team in the modern era (since 1900) after losing at least 110 games the previous season.

Cedric Mullins and Rougned Odor are on the bench against left-hander Patrick Corbin.

Austin Hays is leading off and playing left field. Ryan McKenna is in center field and batting seventh.

Jesús Aguilar is batting sixth as the designated hitter.

The plan was devised late last night or early this morning, depending on whether the clock struck midnight. Manager Brandon Hyde called Dean Kremer into his office to inform the right-hander of the club’s decision to use him in relief tonight behind Tyler Wells, who learned that he’d be removed from his rehab assignment, activated from the injured list and start against the Blue Jays.

Building up a starter’s pitches and innings is hard to do in the majors, but so is catching a team in the wild card chase and completing the improbable run from 110 losses to the playoffs.

The leash was transparent. Hyde said he wouldn’t extend Wells much past the 31 pitches thrown at High-A Aberdeen. Too soon for it.

Wells backloaded them tonight, with four in the first and 30 in the second before Kremer was tagged into the match.  

The wrinkle in an otherwise smooth plan was the Blue Jays breaking a tie in the fifth inning and winning the series with a 4-1 victory over the Orioles at Camden Yards.

The Orioles are building up Tyler Wells to be a starter again.

But they’re doing it in the majors.

The decision was made late last night to activate Wells from the 15-day injured list and start him tonight against the Blue Jays. The alternative was to keep him on a rehab assignment in the minors.

A few more important points:

* Dean Kremer is pitching in relief tonight, but it’s a one-and-done. He goes back into the rotation. This isn’t a piggyback situation because Wells isn’t stretched out to do it, and the club wants Kremer starting again.

The Orioles are making more changes to the rotation, this one based on a pitcher’s good health.

Tyler Wells has been reinstated from the 15-day injured list and is handling tonight’s start against the Blue Jays to conclude a four-game series at Camden Yards.

Spenser Watkins has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk to create room on the active roster. He was scheduled to start Saturday afternoon against the Red Sox at Camden Yards.

Additional details on the rotation haven’t been announced, but Dean Kremer was supposed to start tonight.

Jordan Lyles is recovering from flu-like symptoms that knocked him out of Monday’s doubleheader. His status has been day-to-day, and it’s unknown whether he’s an option for the weekend.

The Orioles are handing Mike Baumann the ball in Monday’s doubleheader against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards, whether in the first or second game, allowing the right-hander to make his first appearance in the majors since June 19 and his first career start.

Baumann has pitched in relief in 11 games, including seven this year after breaking camp with the Orioles. He allowed six earned runs and seven total, with 13 hits, six walks and nine strikeouts, over 12 innings in 2022.

The stay is expected to be brief, with Baumann on the taxi squad today and serving as the 29^th man on Monday.

“It’s a good feeling,” he said today. “Coming up here and seeing the guys, it’s always awesome, and they’re playing well. The energy in the clubhouse is great, so to be able to be part of it for the next couple days is going to be awesome.”

Baumann’s season has been inconsistent, with a 4.20 ERA and 1.317 WHIP in 20 games (nine starts) with Norfolk. He’s walked 25 batters and struck out 81 in 60 innings.

The Orioles are hatching their plan for Tyler Wells, arranging a bullpen session for him in Baltimore and sending him out again for another minor league start. Maybe just one. Maybe two.

The reports came back from high Single-A Aberdeen that Wells looked and felt good Friday night, with no lingering issues related to his strained left oblique. He threw 31 pitches in 2 1/3 innings, the only run against him scoring after he left.

“He looked outstanding,” said Aberdeen manager Roberto Mercado. “Commanded all of his pitches really well, put any pitch where he wanted. I know he talked about wanting to command the fastball on the outside part of the plate, and he’s dotting it right there on the black. Pitched really, really well. Retired the first seven guys and was in complete control the whole time.”

The Orioles had pitch counts in mind for Wells and Grayson Rodriguez, who started the previous night on his rehab assignment and also threw 31.

“We had to pull him there,” Mercado said of Wells. “Trust me, I’d love to keep him in. Similar to Grayson. I wish I had the chance to leave him in a little longer. He’s got electric stuff and it was great to see him back on the mound after being out since June.”

Tyler Wells is slated to throw a bullpen session in Baltimore within the next few days before the Orioles decide his next steps toward a return to their active roster.

Wells began his injury rehab assignment last night at High-A Aberdeen and was charged with one run in 2 1/3 innings. An inherited runner scored after he departed.

The Orioles will give him at least one more start in the minors.

Wells allowed one hit, walked none, struck out three and threw 23 of 31 pitches for strikes. Most important, he felt good afterward.

Manager Brandon Hyde said the organization hasn’t decided on Wells’ role when he’s activated from the injured list.

CLEVELAND – Tyler Wells is getting closer to appearing in games and rejoining the Orioles.

Wells threw about 30 pitches today during a bullpen session at high Single-A Aberdeen, and he’s poised to begin an injury rehab assignment with the IronBirds.

Today’s activity followed the simulated game from a few days ago.

“Felt great after, so positive news there,” said manager Brandon Hyde.

“We’re going to get him into some sort of rehab game if he wakes up tomorrow and feels well. We’re taking it just kind of day-to-day with him right now, but as of right now, it went well and we’re going to continue to progress him.”

HOUSTON – The Orioles' pitching has carried them to two wins at Minute Maid Park. As they go for the three-game sweep today they’d like to generate more offense.

First baseman Ryan Mountcastle, struggling in the second half, showed some signs of breaking out last night, when he hit one ball 102 mph and another 105 mph on line outs. It was a good sign for the Orioles, said manager Brandon Hyde.

“You know the way the three guys ahead of him in the lineup are getting on base, the at-bats they’re taking, you know with Ryan, I was happy with his at-bats last night,” Hyde said. “Had better at-bats, was a little more under control, stayed on the ball better. Hit a couple of balls pretty hard. When he stays with himself, good things happen. Being able to lay off sliders out of the zone and elevated fastballs, you know when he puts swings on strikes, good things happen. So we’re getting on base ahead of him and hopefully he can turn it around here pretty soon.”

In the second half, Mountcastle, who is 0-for-8 this series, is batting .177/.282/.298/.550 after he posted a .786 OPS in the first half.

“Yesterday felt a little better. Hit two balls hard,” Mountcastle said. “Thought I got the second one, but I guess it didn’t want to go out. It is what it is. I’m trying and working hard at it.”

Kyle Bradish came up with a nice solution Friday night to the bullpen’s recent struggles that raised concerns about its ability to hold up through the rest of the wild card chase.

Stay on the mound for eight innings and don’t allow any runs.

So simple. Why didn’t anyone else think of it?

Dean Kremer ran with the idea last night, holding the Astros to one run in 7 2/3. All it takes is one person to start a movement.

A fresh right arm arrived to the team Thursday afternoon when the Orioles recalled Rico Garcia from Triple-A Norfolk. Rosters expand to 28 players on Sept. 1, which allows them to bring up another pitcher.

The Orioles wanted veteran starter Jordan Lyles to be durable and dependable. To make each start, push past the middle innings and give his club a chance to win. They sought his leadership on an inexperienced staff.

And they were willing to sign him for $7 million guaranteed with a $11 club option for 2023.

How’s it working out?

“I think he’s exceeded our expectations and what he’s done for us in every way,” says manager Brandon Hyde.

Hyde has gone on record with that opinion multiple times this season, most recently before Thursday’s game.

Tyler Wells threw his second bullpen session today and keeps making progress in his eventual return from a left oblique injury.

Wells is nearing a live batting practice session to get him reacclimated to facing hitters.

“It’s going very well,” Hyde said. “Threw his second bullpen, feels great after. All positive news from there.”

The Orioles haven’t determined Well’s role after he makes it back onto the active roster. Building him back up as a starter will take longer, which could influence them to make him a reliever.

“We’re still going to work some things out,” Hyde said.

Jorge Mateo made his 108^th start at shortstop last night, his status as the position’s caretaker long ago established.

But what about 2023?

Gunnar Henderson is baseball’s No. 1 or 2 prospect, depending on the rankings, and his debut is coming. He played second base again last night with Triple-A Norfolk, his fifth consecutive game on the right side of the infield, including two at first base. But he’s a shortstop getting his footing at other spots for roster flexibility with the Orioles – if he is, indeed, promoted in 2022.

Beyond that, he’s always been projected as their shortstop unless Jordan Westburg pushed him to third. Or if Joey Ortiz pushed him to third.

It’s never been about Mateo, but now it must be, because, well, look at him.

Tyler Wells threw his first bullpen session this afternoon since experiencing soreness in his left oblique during a July 27 start.

Wells has been playing catch in the outfield. Today marked another important advancement in his quest to rejoin the Orioles pitching staff next month.

“Went well, felt really good,” Wells said. “Just another step in the process that we’ve kind of decided on was, feeling good enough to get out there. Felt really good, no issues, and just pleased with it.”

Wells called it a “normal” bullpen session, with more than just fastballs thrown.

“Today was a good feel day to just move down the mound and get a good feel for it,” he said.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Orioles manager Brandon Hyde sounded confident today that first baseman Ryan Mountcastle would avoid the injured list after being hit yesterday on the left hand.

Mountcastle is receiving treatment to reduce the swelling. The hand was wrapped this morning.

“His hand’s pretty sore from getting hit there yesterday, kind of in a tender spot, so hopefully he’s available to hit. Not really sure at this point,” Hyde said.

“I don’t think it’s an IL situation. I think it’s more day-to-day. Hopefully, he feels better as the day goes on today after getting some treatment, but we’ll see.”

DL Hall remains with the club today before rejoining Triple-A Norfolk and beginning the switch to a relief role. Hall allowed five runs and five hits with three walks and six strikeouts over 3 2/3 innings in his major league debut.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Orioles reliever Keegan Akin saw DL Hall at the team hotel last night and decided it was an ideal opportunity to counsel the rookie. Offer advice prior to a major league debut today that’s attracting a tremendous amount of hype.

Happens with elite pitching prospects. They don’t sneak into town.

“I’ve already talked to him and helped him through a little bit,” Akin said. “He said it didn’t really hit him last night. I said, ‘It’s going to hit you tomorrow morning when you wake up, or it’s going to hit you when you go to walk on the field and start warming up.’ I just told him, ‘You’ve got to stay calm and keep yourself and your emotions under control, just because that’s what’s going to be the hardest to control, and that can get a little squirrely sometimes on the mound and be all over the place.’

“I told him to just lock it in. Nothing’s different up here. He still has the same stuff as he did coming up through the system, and it’s electric stuff and I’m excited for him to be here. I think he can contribute a lot to this team.”

Jordan Lyles is a former first-round pick with 12 years in the majors. He also can be a resource for Hall.

Tyler Wells can’t say with any amount of confidence that he’s going to pitch again this year. He’s encouraged by the improvements he’s noticing in his lower left side, which has him trending in the right direction. A popular term in the clubhouse whenever a player has avoided a setback.

But pitch again in 2022?

There are health and innings factors to consider.

Wells sustained his injury during a start on July 27, wincing in pain after throwing a slider to Tampa Bay’s Yandy Díaz in the fifth. The team announced that Wells experienced lower back discomfort, but he also felt it in his side, which usually signals an issue with the oblique that’s much more serious.

“I feel much, much better,” he said yesterday.

Austin Hays is out of the lineup again tonight with tightness and soreness in his left oblique, as he described it earlier today at his locker.

Hays also didn’t play Wednesday afternoon in Texas.

“I’m feeling better today,” he said. “We’re just trying to be careful with it. I don’t want to go out there and blow it out when I’m feeling some type of way, because those are very tricky injuries to try to come back from. So, it’s nothing super concerning right now. We’re just trying to make sure it’s 100 percent when I go out there.”

Manager Brandon Hyde said Hays is day-to-day. In the meantime, Brett Phillips gets his first start with the Orioles as the left fielder.

“The good news is it’s improving daily,” Hyde said. “A lot better on the day off, better even more today. Hopefully, it continues to trend that way. It sounds like it is.

CINCINNATI – Ryan Mountcastle, who went 0-for-4 with a sac fly in the ninth inning Friday night, is not in tonight’s starting lineup for the Orioles, getting a rest day. At least to start. But manager Brandon Hyde hinted during his pregame media session that there could be something else contributing to Mountcastle’s absence from tonight’s lineup.

“He’s banged up,” said Hyde. “We’re getting to that point now where, he’s got lot of at-bats, lot of games under these guys’ belts, and he’s pretty banged up. Just want to give him a day and hopefully he’s available off the bench today.”

When asked whether Mountcastle is just dealing with “bumps and bruises” or anything more significant, Hyde said “bumps and bruises.”

Mountcastle has just two hits his last 31 at-bats over his past eight games. He has not homered his last 19 games. In 22 games this month he is batting .191/.231/.298/.528. and that is after he posted a robust OPS of .959 in June.

Hyde also today had an update on right-hander Tyler Wells, who went on the injured list after his last start, Wednesday against the Rays, when he gave up four runs over 4 1/3 innings.