As Austin Hays slumps, Orioles' brass remains confident in All-Star: 'He's still a huge part of this team'

Hays is 3-for-35 (.086 batting average) at the plate, including an 0-for-26 skid he broke with a bloop single Saturday. The 28-year-old has, at times, been a streaky hitter, but the slump is the worst he's experienced since becoming a staple in the Orioles' lineup in 2021. As he's struggled, he's temporarily lost his starting job to Colton Cowser, a top prospect who is enjoying an early-season breakout. “He's going to be fine,” executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias said Saturday.