Spring Training Primer: Harvey’s confidence; Davis’ return; Edgin’s good impression

What’s happening? – Chris Davis hopes for a return to action soon. After Saturday’s MRI on his right elbow found no structural damage, Davis said he was relieved.

“I feel better today,” Davis said Tuesday. “Obviously, the last couple of days, I haven’t done a whole lot. Treat and kind of go through that ‘wounded wing’ protocol — whatever you want to refer to it as.”

Manager Buck Showalter originally forecast Davis would be out three-to-five days, but Tuesday he wasn’t specific about when the first baseman would return.

Showalter, however, said he expected outfielder Austin Hays, who has been out with a right shoulder injury, to be the designated hitter today when the Orioles meet the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jonathan Schoop, who has yet to play in a road game, and Tim Beckham, are expected to start at Port Charlotte, Fla.

Caleb Joseph, Manny Machado, Trey Mancini and Mark Trumbo all made the trip to Fort Myers, Fla., on Tuesday.

The Orioles made five cuts, optioning right-handed pitchers Stefan Crichton, David Hess, Michael Kelly and Yefry Ramirez to Triple-A Norfolk while reassigning outfielder Jaycob Brugman, left-handed pitcher Andrew Faulkner and right-handed pitcher Jeff Ferrell to minor league camp.

There are 53 players remaining, and Showalter is expected to make several more cuts in the next few days.

What’s happened? – Hunter Harvey allowed a run on two hits in two innings in the Orioles’ 9-8 loss to the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

Harvey, who made his second Grapefruit League start, has never pitched above Low-A, but he could begin the season at High-A Frederick or Double-A Bowie. If healthy, the Orioles are expecting him to pitch for them later this season.

Harvey showed confidence when asked how far away from the major leagues he felt he was.

“I feel like I’m close,” Harvey said. “I need to get my off-speed command a little bit better to where I can throw more strikes with it. But I do feel that I’m ready.”

Showalter says that the 23-year-old will get another Grapefruit League start.

“He’s been impressive. You can tell he feels really good physically,” Showalter said. “That’s the most important thing. Command was good in spots.”

What’s up with? – Josh Edgin. The Orioles signed the 31-year-old left-hander, who pitched five seasons for the New York Mets, as a minor league free agent Nov. 28. That was quite early in the signing cycle for a pitcher with his level of success to sign a minor league contract.

Edgin, who pitched an inning in a simulated game Tuesday, is 4-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 177 appearances with the Mets.

He is from outside Breezewood, Pa., and moved to near Hagerstown, Md. recently, and he’s looking forward to having his family being able to watch him pitch this season. That family is expanding. His wife is expecting a child this week.

“It was a good situation, we feel like, for me,” Edgin said of signing with the Orioles. “My family is from close to there. Grew up watching them on the TV my whole life. They reached out early, and when they reached out, I was pumped up about it. I don’t know there was one specific thing about it.”

What’s what? – While Machado’s hitting has gotten a lot of attention, Joseph has gotten off to a hot start. Tuesday, he went 3-for-3 with a two-run double, and the club’s projected starting catcher is now hitting .482 (6-for-13).

What’s the word? – “There’s a reason he’s been in the big leagues for four or five years. He kind of knows his way around relieving. He’s got a good approach. You can see why the Mets used him so long. He was a priority for us when he became available. He was a guy that kind of fit the (mold). He defended himself well against some right-handed hitters in a short period of time.”– Buck Showalter on Edgin.

What’s the number? — .556. Machado’s Grapefruit League averaged tumbled from .643 after he went 1-for-4 with two RBIs in the Orioles’ loss. Machado has 12 RBIs in 18 at-bats.

What’s the record? — 5-6-1. The Orioles visit the Rays for the third time in the last eight days. Their first two wins of the spring came at Port Charlotte. Mike Wright Jr., will pitch against Blake Snell.