Injury updates on Hardy, Flaherty, Wieters and Schoop

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Orioles remain hopeful that shortstop J.J. Hardy and infielder Ryan Flaherty will begin an injury rehab assignment Monday night at Double-A Bowie.

The Baysox begin a four-game series against Akron, and manager Buck Showalter joked that he'd need to break the news to Hardy and Flaherty that Thursday's first pitch is slated for 11 a.m.

Hardy did some early hitting and took batting practice with Flaherty in Group 4. Hardy also took ground balls and made throws from shortstop, and Flaherty ran the bases to gauge his recovery from a groin strain.

Catcher Matt Wieters caught five innings in extended spring training today and threw out a couple of runners, according to manager Buck Showalter.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop, on the disabled list retroactive to April 18 with a sprained right knee, said he might begin walking in a pool on Monday. Schoop is wearing a brace on the knee and had fluid drained three days ago to hasten the healing process.

"I feel much better," he said. "I missed being around here. I'm working hard on my rehab trying to get back."

Schoop is working to strengthen his quadriceps and calf muscle. He's receiving stim and ice treatments on his knee three times a day in Sarasota.

"Then I go home and the next day the same thing," said Schoop, who only removes the brace when he's sleeping. "Hopefully, next week we're going to take another step and starting walking in the pool. Monday, I think. They're going to decide if I start walking in the pool."

Schoop's goal is to return before the All-Star break. In his most optimistic state, he envisions being back next month.

"At first they gave me six to eight weeks and I think I'm in the second week already," Schoop said. "Maybe I've got four more to go or five. Who knows? But I'm working hard to come back stronger.

"They didn't give me at timetable. I want to be back right now. I think I'm ahead of schedule, but I don't want to put timetable on myself because if I'm not there at that time, I might be like down, but hopefully I'll be back before the All-Star break. Earlier that that, hopefully. I don't know. We'll see."

It's evident that Schoop misses being with the team. He walked into the clubhouse this afternoon with Manny Machado followly close behind, playfully smacking him behind the head. Schoop was smiling from ear to ear.

"It's tough to watch baseball games," Schoop said. "I'm excited and happy trying to cheer for my teammates. They still are my teammates. I watch them and root for them and be there, talk to them and tell them I miss them. Those are the kinds of things I think I can do to help them.

"I'm watching every game. They are my friends. My teammates, but they're my friends, too. I've got to watch them. I've got nothing else to do."

Schoop saw footage of the rioting in Baltimore and asked reporters whether conditions had improved.

"I saw them throwing rocks at the cops," he said. "I followed the case a little bit, too, but I don't have much to say because I don't understand it very good."