BOSTON -- In the face of his first disabled list stint since 2015, Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop is trying to remain optimistic about his right oblique strain, in light of the results from an MRI on Saturday.
After being removed from Friday night's game following a pinch in his side that occurred on a swing, the All-Star was not in top spirits, according to manager Buck Showalter, but tests on Saturday revealed that the strain was a Grade 1, the least severe.
"The injury, I felt it in my last at-bat, right when I swung. I felt like something pinched me on the side. I went out there, the next inning on a ground ball to me I felt it right away again," Schoop explained. "It's not a good thing to have an injury, but the MRI showed good news because it's not as bad as we think."
Prior to Saturday's game, Baltimore placed Schoop on the 10-day DL, sidelining one of the more reliable bats in Showalter's lineup.
Over the past two seasons, the Curacao native had played in all but two games, with high hopes of building off of a career year in 2017, when he hit .293 with 32 home runs and 105 RBIs, earning his first All-Star nod in the process.
While the Orioles are confident in their depth, they know that losing the No. 3 hitter in their lineup is not easily replaced.
"It's tough on everybody, but especially Jon," said Showalter. "He knows what he means to the club, especially hitting third and coming off the best year of his career and as good a year as any second baseman has had. He's primed to take it to another level. But he's just delayed, not denied. He'll be back."
There has been no timetable set for Schoop's return at this time, as his manager points out the difficulties in testing this particular type of injury this early in the process.
Schoop, who will remain with the O's, is hopeful that he can begin the rehab process soon and get back to helping the team win ballgames.
"The trouble with these injuries, you can't test him," said Showalter. "He's stiff more than sore, which is a good sign. He really wants to be out there. It's a tough injury for us."
"I hope 10 days and in the next couple of days I feel better, so I can start swinging and start working on it to get better and get stronger," added Schoop. "I don't know yet [how long]. I'm staying with the team and hopefully I get better, go play one or two games maybe in the Minor Leagues and come back."
Worth noting
• Prior to Sunday's game vs. the Red Sox, the Orioles summoned right-hander David Hess from Triple-A Norfolk and optioned left-hander Donnie Hart to Norfolk.