Pregame updates on Diaz, K. Stewart and Wojciechowski

CLEARWATER, Fla. - The Orioles have played two spring games, with a third coming today here at Spectrum Field versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Yusniel Diaz, in camp as a non-roster outfielder, has yet to play and didn't make this trip either.

"Sore left shoulder," manager Brandon Hyde said of Diaz's absence. "No long-term concern. Just giving it a couple of days to let it calm down, but not concerned about it. He's anxious to get out there. He's a great kid, man. I get there early in the morning and he's already there. I love the makeup. I'm looking forward to getting him out there. He's an exciting player. I think it's killing him he can't play."

Hyde also said today that right-handed rotation candidates Kohl Stewart and Asher Wojciechowski are each being pushed back.

"Wojo has a small, little blister. We want to do more of a controlled situation and not have it flare up on the mound in a game. So, we just pushed him back a couple of days. We're not concerned about it. Just a small little thing under the nail.

"(Stewart) has a little bit of soreness in his bicep that we are not concerned about. We just wanted to push him back a couple days. We're re-evaluating - I heard he felt better today. We're just being real cautious about it," Hyde said.

Hyde said right-hander Mychal Givens threw a live batting practice this morning at Ed Smith Stadium and right-hander Hunter Harvey threw a side session yesterday. Both missed a few days earlier in camp with an illness, but both will pitch in games before too long.

Hyde is looking forward to watching right-hander Alex Cobb start today. He was limited to just three starts last year and had June hip surgery that ended his season.

"I think we want to see the velo be close to norm," Hyde said. "It is his first spring outing so don't put too much stock into anything, really. With a veteran guy (we'll look to see) how he feels after his two innings. It's been a while. Just want him to feel comfortable on the mound. Hopefully he feels great after a couple of innings and he's ready to make his next start."

Is it a big deal that he takes the mound today?

"I think, personally, for him," Hyde said. "I don't think you'll ever know how you are going to feel until you're in there in game action. It's been almost a year since he's thrown to a hitter with people in the stands. A long rehab for what he had. For us, we'd love to have him healthy and in the rotation. He's one of our only established starting pitchers."

Hyde said utility player Andrew Velazquez, claimed off waivers Feb. 19, will play for the first time tomorrow. Richard Ureña, who cleared waivers yesterday and was outrighted to Triple-A, remains in camp and could play tomorrow as well. Hyde said lefty Keegan Akin should get two innings today in relief.

The Orioles have a 29-man roster today in Clearwater. Catcher Adley Rutschman - who is 0-for-3 in spring at-bats - made this trip. The Orioles have added four players from minor league camp in pitchers Zach Muckenhirn, Jay Flaa and Brian Gonzalez and outfielder Zach Jarrett.

The Orioles will split their squad and play two games at 1:05 p.m. tomorrow. Lefty John Means will start at home versus Tampa Bay and right-hander Tom Eshelman starts in Fort Myers against Boston. Left-hander Bruce Zimmermann gets the start on Wednesday afternoon in Sarasota versus the Atlanta Braves.

Keith Law of the Athletic released his list of baseball's top 100 prospects today with Rutschman No. 10, DL Hall No. 50 and Grayson Rodriguez No. 60.