Wells and Martin getting healthier in camp (Galvis scratched)

The injury news in Orioles camp seems to be improving, with one notable exception.

Pitcher Alexander Wells reported to the complex with a sore oblique, similar to his ailment last spring, but he's able to play catch as he inches closer to his first game.

Wells was placed on the 40-man roster to protect him in the Rule 5 draft. He was throwing and facing hitters in Australia before traveling to the United States.

The Orioles are intrigued by Wells' control - he's averaged only 1.4 walks per nine innings - and how he's registered a 2.82 ERA in 86 starts across four minor league levels. The fastball labors to reach an average speed, but his pitch mix, command and deception keep working and make him an option to debut in 2021 after an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Infielder Richie Martin is recovered from his hamate bone surgery and taking batting practice. Manager Brandon Hyde said Martin could make his first spring appearance next week.

"We're hoping that the hitting progression continues to go well and, hopefully, maybe next week start to see him in game action," Hyde said in his daily Zoom call.

Martin wanted to compete for a job in the middle infield, which is crowded with Freddy Galvis at shortstop and Yolmer Sánchez at second base. He could be the starting shortstop at Norfolk if unable to seize a utility job.

First baseman Chris Davis retains his day-to-day status with soreness in his lower back. Hyde didn't note any improvement.

Hyde told the media that Davis felt a tugging sensation in his back Sunday while hitting a fly ball in his second at-bat against the Pirates.

Reliever Travis Lakins Sr. will work an inning today against the Red Sox after posting a 2.81 ERA and 1.481 WHIP last summer in 22 appearances.

"Travis had a really nice season for us last year," Hyde said. "I thought he did a really good job out of the 'pen. Pitched in multiple roles, did a really good job against left-handed and right-handed hitters. I like his stuff.

"He threw in a sim game on the back field yesterday. That's why you guys haven't seen him yet. But I think he's definitely in the mix to be in our bullpen coming off the year he had and what he's shown so far this spring."

Trey Mancini is batting second again today, but Hyde warned against reading too much into his lineups.

"It's just to get him at-bats," Hyde said. "I like a really good hitter (second) anyway. I'll be playing with the lineup, doing different things, over the course of the month."

Anthony Santander is searching for his first hit, but he's already drawn three walks in two games.

"We've talked to him quite a bit, he knows that if he can eliminate the chase and get guys in the strike zone, he's going to do a lot of damage," Hyde said. "Be a little bit more selectively aggressive and understand that he doesn't need to leave the strike zone, which he didn't do the other day, he's going to put some really good at-bats together and put some big numbers up."

Left-hander Keegan Akin is scheduled to pitch two innings Friday afternoon against the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Today's game against the Red Sox in Sarasota will last six innings. "Little League style," as Hyde described it.

The Saturday night game versus the Tigers at Ed Smith Stadium is slated for the full nine innings.

Update: So much for good health news. Shortstop Galvis was scratched from the lineup for an undisclosed reason. Ramón Urías has replaced him and is batting fifth.