Karns scratched due to sore right arm

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles scratched Nate Karns from Friday night's start in Tampa due to "general arm soreness," according to manager Brandon Hyde.

Left-hander John Means is taking Karns' spot and will face the Yankees in a split-squad game. Alex Cobb pitches the day game against the Rays in Sarasota.

"We want to be careful with it," Hyde said. "Just going to push him back a couple days, maybe throw a side instead on Sunday and then kind of go back on his routine from there. But just want to give him a little bit of a blow, especially from, he's got some history there with not being in a competitive situation and having some arm issues the last few years.

"Really just want to be careful with him."

It's an understandable approach.

Karns missed the 2018 season with an elbow injury and underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery the previous summer. The Orioles signed him to a one-year deal earlier this month that guarantees $800,000. Karns is the only free agent to get a major league contract from the club.

Karns is competing for the fourth or fifth spot in the rotation behind Dylan Bundy, Cobb and Andrew Cashner, in whatever order they fall.

Debuting in Monday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers, Karns worked 1 2/3 innings and allowed two earned runs (three total) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. He didn't report any discomfort after coming out of the game.

Hyde will manage Friday afternoon's game and field coordinator/catching instructor Tim Cossins will manage in Tampa, with assistance from Triple-A skipper Gary Kendall.

Third base coach José Flores and first base coach Arnie Beyeler with stay with Hyde. Pitching coach Doug Brocail will try to work both games. Otherwise, Hyde said, he's splitting up the staff.

"Split-doubleheaders are a staff killer," Hyde said. "It's not that day, it's the next day. We go to Fort Myers the next day. Try to give staffs a blow as much as you possibly can.

"I'm just going to go lone soldier, just go to one tomorrow. It's going to be weird not knowing what's going on in that game, but I'm putting my trust in the guys that are going."

Another reason to stay back after Friday's game is so Hyde can attend the annual country music event at the complex.

Hyde said he'll determine later in camp whether Hunter Harvey remains a starter or is an option for the bullpen. The focus remains to keep him healthy and figure out roles later.

Hyde began today's media session in the visiting dugout by talking about former public relations director Monica Pence Barlow.

"I know with Monica, I've heard a lot of things about her in the last couple weeks," he said. "Tough week just in general for the baseball community. My heart goes out to the families in the Red Sox organization and Nick Cafardo and his family.

"I know Chris Davis, it's a big deal for him, Monica's passing, so just in general I just wanted to (say) my thoughts are with her and her family. I remember hearing about it and just awful."