Notes on Cobb, Karns, Severino and the weather (start delayed)

Orioles pitcher Alex Cobb is in Baltimore and has been inside the clubhouse the past two days. He played chess after last night's game.

As updates go, that's about it. Except that the discomfort may not be restricted to Cobb's back.

Cobb remains on the injured list with a lumbar strain, the move retroactive to April 27, and his only baseball activity consists of some light flat-ground throwing to keep his arm in shape.

Manager Brandon Hyde said Cobb is having his back and hip checked.

"Still giving him some rest," Hyde said. "I think we'll know more next week."

Cobb has been limited to three starts after beginning the season on the IL with a groin injury. The lumbar strain has twice put him on the IL.

There's nothing new with reliever Nate Karns. He's flying out of Baltimore later today and receiving a second opinion Monday on his right forearm.

Catcher Pedro Severino is catching left-hander John Means this afternoon to close out the series against the Rays. He's batting .250/.333/.521 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 55 plate appearances. He slashed .187/.273/.287 with four home runs and 22 RBIs in 282 plate appearances with the Nationals before the Orioles claimed him off waivers in March.

"A lot of time with offense with hitters it's about getting an opportunity," Hyde said, "and when you don't have consistent at-bats and everyday at-bats, then it's hard to put up good numbers."

It's more than offense with Severino, of course. He's built a reputation for his work behind the plate. The sluggish bat and loss of minor league options cost him a spot in the Nationals' organization.

Severino has thrown out six of eight runners attempting to steal - though his four passed balls are tied for the most in the American League - and he brings "a ton of energy," Hyde said.

"Pedro plays with a lot of life," Hyde said. "He's got an abundant amount of energy, fantastic in the clubhouse, loves to play. I like the way about him.

"I think he's really competitive. I think he battles. He's just a super-tough kid that likes to play the game, and it shows, how he goes about things. He's tough on himself, lives and dies with the pitcher who's out there, tries to get through innings. It matters to him to put a zero up. He shows it and it's fun to watch."

The Orioles obviously are hoping to play today's game. The rain has stopped, but the forecast calls for more showers later.

The Rays make two more trips to Baltimore.

"For me, when I get here, as the day goes and you put your uniform on and you're getting ready to play the game, I'd rather us just play and not wait and see," Hyde said.

"You get here in the morning and it looks terrible all day and there's just no chance, then I think you'd rather not play because you don't want to wait around. But when you get your pants on and you've got your uniform going and you start getting into your routine, you'd rather just play the game, and I think that's where we're at right now."

Asked how much input he has in the decision to play or postpone, Hyde said, "Minimal."

"We talk," he said. "I don't really have much input on whether we're playing or not, except I might give my opinion. I've only been doing this for a month.

"I'm in the conversation but I don't make the decision."

That should cover the weather talk for a while.