Schoop on WBC, Peña on return, Johnson on being an Oriole

SARASOTA, Fla. - Mark Trumbo, Adam Jones and Jonathan Schoop reported to camp this morning, the biggest names among position players to enter the facility during the media's hour-long clubhouse access.

Schoop will leave camp on Feb. 28 to join Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic.

"The thing I'm concerned with is going to Korea. It's far to go over there. I think I'm going to go anyways to help my country a little bit," Schoop said.

"To be honest, it was 50/50. It was far to go, but I've got to be here first. I've got to see if I'm ready (physically). I cannot go at 60 percent and go play and hurt myself. Right now, I feel 100 percent and I feel good and I feel I can go and come back and keep strong."

Schoop also played for the Netherlands in 2013, giving him valuable experience as he cuts short another camp.

"It makes it easier because you've got to be a step (ahead) at this time, because you have to go to the WBC and compete," he said. "It's not like a game. You've got to win. I'm ready for it. I come here so I can do my job here, then leave and come here.

"I'm just going to do the same thing I do, my routines, work out. I did it in '13 already and I started a little early this year because I know I've got to go to the WBC already."

The WBC holds special significance to Schoop and his teammates.

"For us, it's important so we can send more scouts to Curacao so we can sign them so their dreams can come true, too," he said. "For us to go and represent the country, it's really nice for everybody that we're going to go play for the Netherlands."

Netherlands advanced to the semifinals in 2013 and Schoop thinks it could challenge for the championship this spring.

"I think so, because in 2013, I was in Triple-A," Schoop said. "Everybody was in the minor leagues. Only Andrelton Simmons was in the big leagues. Now we have like five guys in the big leagues and more experience. I think we're going to go farther this year. I hope so."

The Orioles aren't picked to contend in the American League East, which brings a smile and a shrug from Schoop. The typical club reaction.

"Always, always, they are picking us last," Schoop said, "but we believe in each other and we know what we can do and we stick up for each other."

Catcher Francisco Peña is in camp this morning after clearing waivers and being outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk.

"It's tougher when you're in a hotel room not knowing what to do," he said. "It was good. It's baseball. I'm not the first one to go through it, but I'm ready to go. I'm happy to be here and I can't wait to get on the field and start working with the guys.

"I've been in this game for a while. You can't take anything as a surprise in this game. They just needed a move and it was me. I've been ready to go. I was playing winter ball back home in the Dominican and I never stopped working. I'm still positive and I'm ready to go. I think I've got a good chance with the catching situation here. Just keep working hard and show what I can do behind the plate."

Chris Johnson met the local media after signing a minor league deal earlier this week. Of course, he was asked what it would be like to play for his father, Triple-A Norfolk manager Ron Johnson.

"Weird, I'm sure," he replied. "It's weird even being in this locker room right now. He was here yesterday and it's just strange running into him and him coming into the cage and stuff like that. But I'm sure we'll get past that weirdness and move on. It should be fun."

Ron Johnson told the media a few days ago that he never got a chance to coach his son.

"Not really, especially in this job he's gone a lot, so when I'm playing high school baseball and when I'm playing college baseball, he's in his season, too," Chris said. "I think he's maybe downplaying that a little bit. He does coach me up a bunch. He doesn't have to be there to coach me up. He knows my swing and we talk and work things out that way over the phone or skyping or things like that. He's been there more than he probably tells you."

The Orioles contacted Ron Johnson about the possibility of signing Chris, running the idea past him to make sure it wouldn't create an uncomfortable situation.

"He didn't really play much of a role in this thing at all," Chris said. "I'd call him and say they were interested and he'd say, 'You make your own decision. I'm not going to tell you anything.' I'm sure he didn't want to say something and I come over and then something bad happens, or me not make the team, things like that. So he stayed out of it, which is pretty much what he's done for most of my career. He's asked if I'm having fun and he doesn't really care about anything else."

Johnson said his agent tried to find "the right spot" for him, which led to the minor league contract with the Orioles and spring training invitation.

"Hopefully, this is it," he said.

"I believe in myself to go to any team and hopefully try to make it better. Whatever I have to do - third base, first base, off the bench, a little bit of left field - whatever I can do to help the team and hopefully make the ballclub, then that's what I'll do."

Johnson enjoyed a career year with the Braves in 2013, batting .321/.358/.457 with 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 68 RBIs in 142 games, but his numbers have gone into decline and the Orioles are his fourth team since 2015.

"Probably a couple different things," he said. "Just tried to figure out that bench role and being in there and out of there sometimes. And I think there were a couple mechanical things that I've been working on this past offseason, too, so hopefully I can put all of those together."

The at-bats could be plentiful with third baseman Manny Machado also leaving camp for the WBC.

"I think that was one of the things I liked about coming here," he said. "There are some guys in the infield who are going to be going and playing and I'll be able to get in there in spring training and show what I can do. And that's all I can ask is for an opportunity."