TORONTO – Grayson Rodriguez did some long tossing in the outfield this afternoon and headed to the visiting bullpen for his second session since the Orioles put him on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow/triceps area. Rodriguez was shut down after a cortisone injection, but he’s started a throwing progression.

Manager Brandon Hyde clarified that the two sessions were a “short box,” with the catcher set up closer than 60 feet six inches. Rodriguez will have a light session Sunday from regular distance.

“Kind of a mini side, a really, really light side,” Hyde said. “So the side progression starts Sunday.”

Reliever Andrew Kittredge stood next to Rodriguez in the outfield and did some throwing. He’s recovering from left knee surgery.

Gunnar Henderson is leading off and playing shortstop with Triple-A Norfolk to begin his rehab assignment. Hyde said Henderson probably will play at least seven innings.

Samuel Basallo is serving as the designated hitter while recovering from elbow soreness that’s preventing him from throwing.

Hyde was asked again today about how he’s going to be careful with Félix Bautista, and it’s more than just not using him on back-to-back days.

“We talked a lot about it,” Hyde said. “When I get him up I’d love to be able to get him in a game. A lot of times closers or high-leverage guys, that’s not the case. I had (Gregory) Soto up yesterday, went to somebody else when the inning was over because the lead extended. Those type of things come up.

“I’m just trying to handle Félix as well as I possibly can.”

Jorge Mateo is in the lineup for the first time since July 23 in Miami, where he injured his left elbow in a collision with Henderson and underwent reconstructive surgery a month later. He entered last night’s game in the ninth inning.

Mateo’s enthusiasm earlier today was easy to detect. Hyde knows about it without talking to him.

“I do because he got here super early,” Hyde said.

“He was really excited yesterday when we saw him. He feels ready to go. When he’s around, he brings a lot of energy to our team. His personality, how he plays, what he’s like in the dugout, the speed he brings. That’s a big-time factor for us. We’re all excited to watch him play.”

Ryan Mountcastle’s double yesterday into the left field corner was clocked at a career-high 115.7 mph off the bat. He’s more likely to start pulling the ball again with the left field wall moved in at Camden Yards.

“I think there’s a good chance of that happening,” Hyde said. “The wall took a lot of extra-base hits away from him, especially homers. He’s gonna get a little more comfortable at home. When he does everything right on a baseball, to be able to get rewarded for it, I think that’s going to be important.

“When Mounty hits the way he’s capable of with the guys around him, it changes our team.”

Charlie Morton is the oldest pitcher to start for the Orioles at 41 years and 136 days. The only pitcher older than Morton was reliever Jesse at 42 years and 160 days on Sept. 29, 1999 against the Yankees.

“I saw him from the other side of the dugout for a lot of years,” Hyde said of Morton. “He approached spring training like a total veteran. Working on his command, working on his stuff. He threw the ball great in spring training, some on the back fields, some in spring training. He threw the ball extremely, extremely well. To be able to do what he’s done for this long, be able to throw 95 with command and a sharp breaking ball, it says a lot about him.

“Not only that, he brings a veteran calmness and presence. It’s a lot of fun to have around.”