Orioles are being careful with Karns; Blue Jays outfielder added to mix; Ynoa pitches four innings

SARASOTA, Fla.-What’s happening? –Dylan Bundy starts against the Tampa Bay Rays in Port Charlotte in the first of today’s split-squad games. David Hess will start the night game.

Chris Davis was scheduled for an MRI because of a strain of the left hip flexor, but manager Brandon Hyde said Davis, who hasn’t played since March 10, seems to be getting better.

Nate Karns, who threw a spotless third inning, could start the season in the bullpen.

You’d love to have durable guys in the ‘pen,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “That’s not always realistic.”

Because of Karns’ extensive history of injuries, the Orioles are being extremely cautious with him, and Hyde hasn’t decided on what his plans for Karns are.

“Anything’s possible. Anything can happen in the next 2 ½ weeks,” Hyde said.

The Orioles acquired outfielder Dwight Smith Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for international bonus money. Smith batted .293 with two home runs and seven RBIs in 47 games for the Blue Jays over the past two seasons.

“Dwight Smith is a young outfielder with a strong track record of performance and is a plus-hitter from the left side. We like adding him to what has become a deep and varied outfield mix in camp,” general manager Mike Elias said in a statement.

What’s happened?—Andrew Cashner retired the first five Boston Red Sox hitters, walked two batters and was pulled after allowing an RBI double to Tzu Wei Lin.

Cashner’s 10-pitch walk to Sandy Leon helped boost his pitch count to 30 in the second inning, and that was too much for Hyde.

“I was really lobbying to keep going, but they didn’t want me to throw more than 30 pitches, but I understand,” Cashner said.

“…It’s early in spring. It’s my second outing out there. They’re just protecting me. I understand that, so you’ve got to respect that.”

Cashner hopes to throw 70 pitches in his next outing.

Gabriel Ynoa (pictured above) pitched four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit in the Orioles’ 4-2 win.

“I was not really expecting to go four innings today,” Ynoa said through a translator. “I took advantage of the opportunity.”

Ynoa, who came to camp on a minor league contract, has allowed one run on four hits in eight innings. He has struck out six without a walk.

“He’s been impressive,” Hyde said. “He really attacks hitters, unpredictable.”

Drew Jackson was 3-for-3 and brought his spring average up to .417. Anthony Santander had an RBI double, and he’s  hitting .476.

What’s up with? Jace Peterson. Last year, Peterson played 93 games for the Orioles and was a solid fill-in at second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field. He even pitched at Fenway Park, allowing four runs on six hits in an inning.

Peterson was taken off the 40-man roster but chose to sign a minor league contract with the Orioles.

“I had some other offers on the table,” Peterson said. “I enjoyed my time at the end of the season in Baltimore. I was looking forward to coming back here and trying to win a job and try to have another crack at it.”

What’s what? Dwight Smith Jr. is the son of Dwight Smith Sr., a former major league outfielder who played 28 games for the Orioles in 1994.

What’s the word? “We joked about it early on in spring, me and Doug actually, but if they need me, I will. It was fun last year to get out on the mound to do that.”-Peterson on telling pitching coach Doug Brocail he’d be available as an emergency pitcher.

What’s the number? 4. If someone asked you at the beginning of spring training to guess the identity of the first Orioles pitcher to throw four innings, I’m sure each of you would have guessed Gabriel Ynoa.

What’s the record? 8-5-2. The Orioles play the Tampa Bay Rays at 1:05 p.m. at Charlotte Sports Park and then play the New York Yankees in Sarasota at 6:05 p.m.