Failure to stretch out Karns could cost rotation spot (tied 3-3)

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. - The need to slow-play Nate Karns through the first half of camp has jeopardized his chances of entering the rotation and potentially opens a second spot for a field of candidates.

Karns lasted 1 2/3 innings in his spring debut on Feb. 25 and didn't pitch again until yesterday, retiring the side in order in the fourth. He was shut down briefly with some arm soreness.

Manager Brandon Hyde noted yesterday that Karns didn't have his best fastball and indicated this morning that the veteran right-hander might have to settle for a bullpen role on opening day.

"I think it hinders him being able to be stretched out," Hyde said. "We still have, what, two and a half weeks to go, so there's still a little bit of time, but any setback right now from your innings standpoint ... The starters are starting to go a little bit more now as we go along."

The Orioles already were in the mindset of being cautious with Karns after he missed the entire 2018 season with an elbow injury and underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery the previous summer that shut him down in May.

"I think with Nate, he's just had issues the last couple of years and has dealt with injuries, and so our main focus is his health, so we're not going to put him in any position to get hurt. We're not going to try to push through any kind of injury or any kind of soreness right now, so we're just going to do what's best for him."

Karns induced two fly balls and struck out the last Pirates batter, and he expressed satisfaction with his outing while speaking to the media. Hyde wasn't quite as enthusiastic when asked later about it.

"I think it was his first time back out there, so he just wanted to make sure he got through the inning and kind of was pacing himself a little bit," Hyde said today. "But today, all indications were everything was good. We're going to wait a few more days. I'm not sure what his schedule is, but we're going to wait a few more days and then get him back out there again.

"Nothing new to update there except he got through it and felt healthy after his inning."

The Orioles made Karns, 31, their only major league free agent signing with a deal last month that guaranteed $800,000 and included a possible $200,000 in incentives based on innings pitched. He's been viewed as a starter first but also an option in the bullpen.

Removing Karns from the starter equation would broaden the uncertainty at the backend of the rotation, since the veteran was projected to hold down the fourth spot. The list of candidates includes David Hess, Yefry Ramirez, Mike Wright, Jimmy Yacabonis, Josh Rogers, John Means and Gabriel Ynoa.

"I think we're looking closely (at them) regardless," Hyde said. "I don't think anything was set coming in with our roster at all, so I think we're still doing the same evaluating all of the starters with Means today and Wright tomorrow and a bunch of guys that we're extending innings.

"It affects Nate Karns a little bit on stretching him out, but from the evaluation standpoint with the other guys, a great opportunity. Everybody's getting a great look. I'm excited to watch John pitch today. It's just a good look for everybody."

Some of these candidates also are viewed as potential long relievers, but others are more likely to start in the minors.

"From a development standpoint, yeah, because we're still in the development age right now with our team, so we're going to do what's best for not only our club but the individual. If we feel like it's better for him to make some starts down in Triple-A to develop maybe a pitch or whatever it may be, then we're going to do that."

First baseman Chris Davis remains day-to-day with left hip flexor soreness. He underwent more treatments this morning and isn't ready to get back in the lineup.

"Nothing new to report," Hyde said. "A little sore today, so we're still day-to-day on him with if he's going to be tomorrow or the next day. I'm not really sure."

Catcher Austin Wynns told the club yesterday that he felt some soreness in his oblique while taking batting practice. He won't be available for at least a few more days.

Reliever Richard Bleier threw live batting practice again this morning in Sarasota and remains in play for opening day.

"Obviously you'd like to see him get a handful of appearances out there, at least, but the same thing kind of with Karns," Hyde said. "The health is the No. 1 thing. We're not going to push through anything at this point. Not in a rush to get anybody out there.

"You want to be healthy when you break, but if you're not all the way there, I'm not going to rush you to make the 25-man roster at the end of spring. I want guys to be healthy throughout the whole season, so there's just no rush with anybody right now."

Zach Pop and Dean Kremer continue to play catch at Twin Lakes Park. Pop was shut down early in camp after a noticeable decrease in his velocity and Kremer showed up with a strained left oblique.

Update: Means allowed one hit in three scoreless innings, but replacement Bo Schultz was charged with three runs in the fourth to give the Rays a 3-0 lead.

Three singles loaded the bases with no outs and Schultz hit Guillermo Heredia to force in a run. Omar Bencomo issued a bases-loaded walk and Kean Wong's fielder's choice grounder plated another run.

Update II: Anthony Santander led off the fifth with a long home run to right field on an 0-2 pitch from Yonny Chirinos to reduce the lead to 3-1.

Richie Martin reached on an infield hit and Cedric Mullins homered to tie the game.