Notes on Karns, Carroll, Martin, Alberto and more (O's lead 3-0)

Orioles reliever Nate Karns has returned to Baltimore and will receive a second opinion on his right forearm Monday after being removed from his injury rehab assignment.

Karns hasn't pitched since working one inning April 25 at Double-A Bowie, where he allowed two runs and two hits. He retired only one batter April 20 at Triple-A Norfolk, and surrendered three runs, but the Orioles are more interested in how his arm's feeling than the outs that it produces.

"Once we get the results there, we'll see, but that's really where we're at with him," said manager Brandon Hyde.

"He's still feeling some soreness, and so on Monday he's going to get another look, have somebody look at it."

Karns was the first free agent signed by the Orioles to a major league deal after Mike Elias' hiring as executive vice president and general manager. The contract guaranteed $800,000 with a possible $200,000 in incentives, based on innings pitched.

Used twice as an opener and twice in relief, Karns has allowed an unearned run and seven hits with three walks and five strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. He retired the side in order on April 8 in a 12-4 win over the Athletics, his final appearance with the Orioles before going on the injured list with a right forearm strain.

On the same day that Karns receives his second opinion, reliever Cody Carroll will resume throwing as he recovers from an injury to his lower back.

Carroll was omitted from the break-camp roster at Norfolk and stayed at extended spring training while receiving treatment to alleviate the soreness.

The Orioles cut Carroll from the camp roster on March 17, a day after the right-hander recorded his third save.

Acquired from the Yankees in July in the Zack Britton trade, Carroll made 15 appearances as a rookie and registered a 9.00 ERA and 2.000 WHIP in 17 innings.

Rule 5 shortstop Richie Martin hasn't been in the lineup since collecting a double and triple in Game 1 of Wednesday's doubleheader in Chicago, but the reasoning is based on matchups instead of health.

"It's more of me just playing (Hanser) Alberto at second and Jonny (Villar) at short," Hyde said. "Just trying to pick good matchups for Richie. Like the way he swung the bat that day in the doubleheader game, and if we have the lead, obviously, he'll go in there for defense. But this is more just me wanting to try to let him have success and find the right matchups for him."

Martin, batting .183/.266/.268 in 28 games, confirmed that he's fine physically and just waiting for the next opportunity.

"I'm good, I'm good to go," Martin said.

"It's not up to me. I just do what I'm told. I'm here."

Martin is learning how to stay sharp and come off the bench after growing accustomed to regular playing time over the years.

"I'm just here to do my job," he said. "Usually around the fifth or sixth inning I start getting ready, but I've got to be ready at all times. It's not up to me. I'm just here ready to do what they need me to do."

The two extra-base hits really stood out for a player who had been 2-for-17 in his last five starts.

Seldom do jumps from Double-A to the majors include a clean landing.

"It's the big leagues. I can't really complain about much," he said.

"Obviously, we're struggling as a team, but I think at any point a team or a player is going to go through that struggle, so hopefully we just had ours in the first month and we'll just keep it rolling and go on to the rest of the season."

Asked about the most pronounced differences at his last two levels of competition, Martin replied, "Not much really. It's the same game. I don't think anything's really overwhelming. It's pretty much the same game, just a bigger stadium, bigger cities. That's pretty much it.

"Everyone always says you're going to have a big jump, whether it be Double-A, Triple-A, going from high A to Double-A, but they're throwing the same fastballs, the same breaking speed. They're definitely more consistent.

"A lot of the guys can throw what they want in what counts they want, but other than that, a 96 mph fastball is 96, whether you're here or in rookie ball. I don't think it's too much of a difference."

Martin's never come across as being intimidated by his surroundings, going back to spring training.

"I would say I was comfortable since Day One," he said. "I've got to credit that to the coaching staff and a lot of the vets and just being around this environment, because there's nothing, really, where you just come in and just go, 'Oh man' and are overwhelmed with stuff. Everyone kind of helps you ease in and just feel comfortable with what you're doing."

Alberto is slashing .316/.329/.367 in 24 games and earning regular at-bats with a club that assumed his greatest contribution would be tied to his versatility in the field.

"I'm friends with some guys who were in Texas," Hyde said, "and they said some really nice things about him and how great of a teammate he is and how he can really defend, so that's what I was excited about, having a guy like that that can play multiple spots, fill in when needed. But he's been swinging the bat so well and takes such good at-bats.

"He hit in the minor leagues and just hasn't had a chance, like a lot of our guys, with every day at-bats, and now he's getting an opportunity to play quite a bit. He's making the most of it. He continues to swing the bat well and take good at-bats. So now, I didn't foresee him hitting (.316).

"You did see the competitiveness at the plate in spring training, but the results have been really good so far."

Stevie Wilkerson gets another start in center field, his second in the majors, and it seems to be morphing into an audition.

"I thought he played OK last night," Hyde said. "He made a nice catch going back on a ball and made a nice throw to the plate. We're going to throw him out there again.

"We don't have a true center fielder on this club, and so it's a little bit by committee right now, and giving Stevie a look."

The Red Sox haven't listed their starters for the three-game series at Camden Yards that begins Monday, but the Orioles are sending David Hess, Andrew Cashner and Dan Straily to the mound.

Update: Yonny Chirinos is now starting for the Rays instead of opener Ryne Stanek, a move based on the forecast.

Update II: Dwight Smith Jr. grounded into a double play in the first inning as Villar scored to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Update III: Wilkerson and Austin Wynns singled in the third and Villar's fielder's choice grounder gave the Orioles a 2-0 lead.

Update IV: Smith led off the fourth with a home run to increase the lead to 3-0.