3 Cedric Mullins CF

Mullins went 4-for-5 with a double, stolen base, RBI and a run Sunday in the Orioles' 8-4 win over the White Sox.

Mullins has been one of the few bright spots in the second half for an Orioles squad trending toward its worst season in franchise history. The four hits were a new career high for the outfielder, who had previously tallied a trio of base hits on two occasions in August shortly after being promoted from Triple-A Norfolk. The 23-year-old, who is batting .276 with 12 extra-base knocks in 132 plate appearances since his callup, should continue to serve as the Orioles' regular leadoff man over the final two weeks as he looks to strengthen his case for a full-time role in the big leagues in 2019.

Mullins (hip) is starting in center field and hitting leadoff Friday against the Royals, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

As expected, Mullins has been cleared to rejoin the starting nine after getting a few days off to work past the hip injury he suffered last weekend. The 23-year-old is hitting .305/.379/.492 with two homers across 17 big-league games since earning a promotion earlier in the month.

Mullins (hip) hopes to return to action Friday in Kansas City, Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com reports.

The Orioles have an off day Thursday, so the hope is that a couple days off will allow him to get right. He suffered the hip injury over the weekend and attempted to return earlier this week but seems to have aggravated it, hence his absence from Wednesday's lineup.

Mullins will serve as the Orioles' primary starting center fielder moving forward, Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reports.

Longtime starter Adam Jones will shift to right field as the Orioles give Mullins an opportunity to showcase himself over the final seven weeks of the season. The 23-year-old had a .267/.332/.425 slash line with 12 stolen bases in 59 games with Triple-A Norfolk this season, and is batting ninth Friday against the Red Sox.

The Orioles called up Mullins from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday, Jon Meoli of The Baltimore Sun reports.

Mullins started the season at Double-A Bowie and now makes his way to the majors after 59 games with Norfolk. The 23-year-old slashed .267/.332/.425 with five home runs and 12 stolen bases for the Tides this summer.