Late scratch Schoop has elbow drained

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Jonathan Schoop, last year's Most Valuable Oriole, was a late scratch from Friday's Grapefruit League opener against the Rays. The second baseman, a first-time All-Star in 2017, has left elbow bursitis and is listed as day to day.
"He bumped it or something, it swelled up a bit and they actually drained it," manager Buck Showalter said of Schoop's elbow, which was iced on Friday morning. "Backed off on him today."
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Showalter said the team's trainers drained the area and don't think there's any kind of infection.

"He was scheduled to play tomorrow. We will see how he feels," Showalter said. "I'm prepared for him [if] not."
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Schoop was replaced by utility-infield candidate Luis Sardiñas, with Friday's injury further proof of how important that role will be for the Orioles.
"I've said all along the 'what ifs.' Our depth in the infield has been a challenge," Showalter said. "It's an area we haven't been able to really produce a lot down below."
Miguel Castro, who is competing for a starting rotation spot, is also banged up. The righty is dealing with some tendinitis in his knee and low back soreness, and he will not make his slated start on Sunday. Gabriel Ynoa, slated to follow him, will now get the start on the road at the Red Sox.
Mancini 'comfortable,' ready to go
A year ago, Trey Mancini wasn't even an outfielder yet. On the heels of a promising rookie season in which Mancini placed third in American League Rookie of the Year voting, Mancini is no longer learning a new position or vying to crack the Opening Day roster. But that doesn't mean he's content.
"The last thing I'd want to do is fall into that trap," Mancini said. "Every spring I approach things the same way, with the same mentality.
"It is nice starting out with the outfielders from the [beginning]. I think last year I started there in March. A lot happened in a little bit of time [last year], but I've really come to love it out there and definitely see myself as an outfielder now."

Mancini, who worked extensively last spring with outfield coach Wayne Kirby, said game experience was the most important thing in his transition. He was a quick study last spring, impressing the organization with how well he picked up the outfield.
"I think getting jumps off the bat [was the hardest thing]. It's a lot different than playing first base," Mancini said. "Taking jumps off the bat and taking good angles off the bat is the most important thing. A lot of the times, you don't really recognize where the ball is going until it's at its apex, so it's tough, but it's something that I've worked on a lot this offseason. I've also worked on agility a lot more this offseason and getting that good first step."
Mancini spent the winter in D.C., often driving up to Camden Yards and working out with strength coach Joe Hogarty. He credited the Orioles' Minor League system for helping him prepare "for anything" in the big leagues, and -- like many of his teammates -- Mancini is looking forward to a fresh start, no matter how good his individual statistics were last year.
The emphasis this year? Becoming an even better defender.
"Trey wants to be a complete player. His approach and makeup are about as good as you want to see from a young player coming up," Showalter said. "I don't think he's ever going to get comfortable with the success he has. He turns the page real quickly. That doesn't surprise me he said [defense is a priority]. ... Trey is sincere about it."
Worth noting
• Outfielder Colby Rasmus, signed on Wednesday, will get a few days to acclimate before playing in games.
• The Orioles wore the caps of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball team on Friday to honor the victims of the shooting that claimed the lives of 17 students and teachers. The caps will be authenticated, autographed and auctioned at orioles.com/auctions through March 4 at 6 p.m. ET, with all proceeds benefiting the Broward Education Foundation.

"I know it was important to the organization to do it," Showalter said of the show of support for the Parkland, Fla., community. "[Vice president of communications and marketing] Greg Bader and the Angelos family were talking about it. ... Wish we could do more. More importantly, I wish we could make it not happen."

• Infielder Engelb Vielma, who was delayed due to passport issues, is expected to be in O's camp and take his physical on Saturday.
• Orioles Minor League third baseman Jaime Estrada received a 50-game suspension for testing positive for a banned stimulant. Estrada's suspension will begin when the Gulf Coast League season starts.
Up next
Dylan Bundy will get the Saturday afternoon start in Clearwater against the Phillies at 1:05 p.m. ET on MLB.TV, while Rule 5 Draft pick Nestor Cortes Jr. will pitch the home nightcap versus the Twins at 6:05 p.m. on Gameday Audio.