FORT MYERS, Fla. -- After the Orioles’ hopes for an undefeated spring were dashed Monday at CenturyLink Sports Complex, manager Brandon Hyde deadpanned about how the loss hurt their chances of competing for a Grapefruit League title.

“That was sarcastic,” he said.

Much more notable was how two of his key pitchers returned to competing, period. That was the takeaway from the club’s 7-1 loss to the Twins for Nate Karns and Hunter Harvey, who emerged from their Grapefruit League debuts healthy after missing chunks of the past two seasons due to arm injuries.

“I think they were both so excited to get out there, their adrenaline was at a high,” Hyde said. “Obviously the results aren’t what they wanted, but we were just happy to get them out there and [they] showed really good stuff. So positives, for sure.”

Karns missed all of last season with elbow issues and spent most of 2017 recovering from thoracic outlet syndrome; his 1 2/3-inning start marked his first game action since last March. Harvey’s one-inning outing represented his first since early June, when he suffered a shoulder injury attempting to avoid a foul ball. Elbow pain force him to sit out the rest of the season, his fourth cut short to injury since the Orioles made Harvey a first-round pick in 2013.

Harvey threw predominately heaters, sitting between 95-97 and flashing as high as 98 mph on the stadium gun. He struck out one after allowing a leadoff double to Eddie Rosario and a two-run homer to Byron Buxton, who finished 3-for-3 with five RBIs.

“Body felt good, arm felt good,” said Harvey, the Orioles’ No. 12 prospect per MLB Pipeline. “The main goal was to go out there, try to command the fastball -- which I have to do better at -- and just come off the field healthy.”

Karns threw just 27 of his 48 pitches for strikes and allowed three runs, though he would’ve fared differently had a Renato Nunez error not extended his second inning. He was able to test out all four of his pitches, including a two-seam fastball that ranged between 91-93 mph. That’s consistent with the velocity Karns’ showed prior to his injuries.

The Orioles’ lone Major League free agent signing this winter, Karns projects as their No. 4 starter should he prove durable this spring.

“I’m feeling good, it’s definitely a minute since I’ve been out there,” Karns said. “Today I came in thinking I may not get the results that I wanted, but that’s not really what we were focusing on. … When I toe the rubber in a regular season game, then I can say it’s a milestone. This is just one step in the right direction, and we’re not quite there yet, so it’s time to keep working.”

Pitching plans

The Orioles will begin rolling out their three veteran starters later this week, beginning with Dylan Bundy on Thursday against a split Phillies squad in Clearwater, Fla. Hyde indicated that Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb will follow Bundy in the days to follow, though the club hasn’t solidified those plans officially. Schedule-wise, Cashner appears on track to pitch as early as Friday after completing a simulated game Sunday. Cobb still needs to complete one before seeing game action.

Worth noting

• Hyde revealed plans to play Rule 5 pick Drew Jackson at center field at some point in the coming days, which came as no surprise given the club’s emphasis on versatility this spring. An infielder by trade, Jackson made his first seven professional appearances in the outfield last year at Double-A. He’s already seen time at both shortstop and second base in the early going.

• Monday also offered Hyde his first in-game look at right-hander Luis Ortiz, one of several young hurlers in the mix for a rotation spot this spring. The Orioles’ No.19 prospect per MLB Pipeline allowed two runs across two innings of work in his Grapefruit League debut.

Up next

The Orioles are giving themselves a chance to see several fifth starter candidates all at once Tuesday, when they return home to face the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Mike Wright, John Means, Yefry Ramirez and Josh Rogers are all slated to pitch – all are fighting for a back-end rotation job this spring. Wright will get the ball first, at 1:05 pm ET.