Before beginning a series with a hot Seattle Mariners team, the Orioles fortified a few weaknesses in their roster.

Baltimore activated center fielder Cedric Mullins from the injured list and recalled left-handed reliever Nick Vespi from Triple-A Norfolk, optioning outfielder Ryan McKenna and right-handed reliever Joey Krehbiel.

Mullins was out for nearly a month after aggravating a right groin strain on July 15, having missed 20 games after initially suffering the injury May 29.

The 2021 All-Star, batting .259/.347/.454 with nine home runs and 14 steals, appeared in only 16 games for the Orioles across June and July.

With both Mullins and Aaron Hicks (left hamstring strain) on the IL, Baltimore has struggled to get production from its center fielders. Having McKenna and rookie Colton Cowser primarily handle the position, Orioles center fielders have hit .163/.250/.209 in 15 games since Hicks went on the IL on July 25, with their collective .459 OPS being the fourth lowest among teams in that span. All-Star left fielder Austin Hays and shortstop Jorge Mateo have also filled in at the position.

Hicks is expected to rejoin the Orioles during next week’s series in San Diego.

Vespi likewise addresses a need. With Danny Coulombe going on the IL with left biceps tendinitis and Cole Irvin entering a six-man rotation, Baltimore was left with Cionel Pérez as its lone left-handed reliever. Vespi has a 3.00 ERA across five major league appearances this season, with a 2.27 Triple-A ERA after he didn’t allow an earned run in 26 appearances at that level in 2022. The Orioles have optioned Vespi three times since the start of the season; teams are able to option players five times during a campaign, before being required to place them on waivers to send them to the minors.

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