Updates on Cobb, Karns, rotation and more (O's lead 8-1)

BOSTON - Alex Cobb is scheduled to throw live batting practice Tuesday afternoon at Tropicana Field and could come off the injured list to make Friday night's start against the Twins at Camden Yards.

Cobb played catch over the weekend without any issues related to his lumbar strain. He's eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday but the Orioles are pushing him back to reduce the chances of a setback.

They aren't going to rush Cobb or anyone else, and especially in the middle of April.

Nate Karns, on the IL with a forearm strain, is on a throwing progression that should include a bullpen session later this week.

The Orioles will check on Karns and other injured players while they're in St. Petersburg, Fla. It's a relatively short drive from Sarasota to Tropicana Field.

"He's doing his throwing progression and feels good," Hyde said.

"I want Nate to be healthy and be a solid bullpen arm for us. I want to be able to make sure that Nate is able to bounce back and recover. I don't want him to give us length or anything, I just want him to be a really good bullpen arm for us."

Mark Trumbo and Richard Bleier also could make the trip and allow the athletic training staff to get an update on their condition. Trumbo is on the IL while recovering from right knee surgery, Bleier with left shoulder tendinitis.

Dylan Bundy, David Hess and Andrew Cashner are starting in the three-game series against the Rays that begins Tuesday night.

Hyde arrived at the ballpark around 7:45 a.m. for the unusual 11 a.m. starting time.

"In the minor leagues you have those kids' day specials during the mid-week sometimes," Hyde said. "This kind of brings me back to that a little bit. But this is definitely the earliest that I've had a major league game. It feels like spring training a little bit."

Hyde didn't need to make major adjustments in his preparation. There's no batting practice and Hyde did some scouting on the Rays and the Red Sox relievers who likely will follow Hector Velázquez.

"I just got here a little earlier. The alarm clock went off a little earlier. That's it," he said.

"Most guys were here before me."

Dan Straily is making his second start with the Orioles, and his third appearance.

"I just want to see Dan do what he's done a lot of his career," Hyde said, "and that's pound the zone, good fastball, good slider, keep guys off-balance, be able to throw his slider in fastball counts, move the ball around and try to keep us in the game."

Everyone in baseball is wearing No. 42 today to commemorate the 72nd anniversary of Jackie Robinson's first major league game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

"This is a special day, for sure," Hyde said. "I think it's just really cool that everybody's got the 42 on, a number that means so much. It's an honor to wear that 42 on this day and it's really, really special. I know our guys are excited about it and we're all very grateful."

Update: The Orioles took a 1-0 lead in the second inning on Rio Ruiz's leadoff walk, a wild pitch and Renato Núñez's single off the Green Monster. Núñez was out at second base and Hector Velazquez escaped a bases-loaded, one-out jam.

Update II: Jonathan Villar singled in the fifth to score Richie Martin and increase the lead to 2-0. Dwight Smith Jr. hit a two-run homer later in the inning.

Update III: Steve Pearce's fielder's choice grounder scored Xander Bogaerts in the fifth and reduced the lead to 4-1. Hyde was ejected for arguing that Rafael Devers violated the slide rule at second base.

Update IV: Chris Davis hit a two-run homer in the eighth to increase the lead to 6-1.

Update V: Smith had a two-run double in the ninth for an 8-1 lead.