Hyde provides updates on Martin and Stewart (Franco signs)

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde is withholding Richie Martin from his first game until after Thursday's off-day.

Hyde is being cautious with Martin, who had the hamate bone removed from his left hand in January. Martin hit yesterday on a back field at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

"Wrist is feeling pretty good," Hyde said today on his Zoom call. "We're pushing him back a couple days. ... He's going to continue to take at-bats on the back field here.

"It's just coming off a hamate and your hand, it's one of those where you have to give it some time and we want to see how he recovers the next day and if it's a little bit sore. He's actually to get more at-bats on the back field than he would in a game."

Hyde said he views Martin as a shortstop who can play other positions.

"Both places in the middle," Hyde said. "I could even see him spelling in center field if need be down the road, but shortstop is his primary position, something that he's really good at, but he's athletic and he can play anywhere."

Outfielder DJ Stewart could return to the lineup over the weekend. He's been limited to three games with a hamstring injury.

"It's a hamstring and we're not going to put him out there unless he's a full 100 percent," Hyde said. "So hopefully the weekend but you kind of never know."

First baseman Chris Davis receives treatment on his back each morning at the complex. He hasn't left the team.

He also isn't approaching a return to the lineup, as far as we know. Still only two at-bats in the Feb. 28 opener.

The Orioles haven't made decisions on candidates for the 60-day injury list. Davis and reliever Hunter Harvey would be the main considerations.

Available relievers behind starter Félix Hernández today include Jorge López, Eric Hanhold, Conner Greene, Marcos Diplán and Cody Carroll.

The travel roster includes catchers Maverick Handley, Austin Wynns and Nick Ciuffo, and infielders Ryan Ripken, Adam Hall, Jahmai Jones and Terrin Vavra.

Update: Third baseman Maikel Franco has passed his Orioles physical, according to a source, and the one-year deal is complete.

An announcement on the signing could come after today's game, including a corresponding move on the 40-man roster.

Franco, 28, exceeded 20 home runs in three consecutive seasons with the Phillies from 2016-18. He's a career .252/.304/.433 hitter in seven major league seasons and spent 2020 with the Royals.

The Phillies and Royals non-tendered Franco the past two winters.

MLB Network's Jon Heyman first reported that Franco passed his physical.