Mahoney's return could start next weekend and begin with Frederick

It has been a tough season for the Orioles' 2010 minor league Player of the Year, Joe Mahoney. He has been on the disabled list twice this year due to a quad injury and this past week had a hamstring issue that set him back a few days at extended spring training. But, the Orioles have their fingers crossed that Mahoney could finally return to play next weekend. Since Double-A Bowie will be on a road trip in Maine then, Mahoney may come north and join the Single-A Frederick Keys for a few days before Bowie returns home. Mahoney is batting .235 with one homer and one RBI in 10 games for the Baysox over 34 at-bats. He last played for Bowie on May 3. Meanwhile, Jonathan Schoop, the 19-year-old infielder from Curacao, is joining Frederick today, moving up from Single-A Delmarva. Schoop has simply been one of the best and most consistent players on the O's farm this year. To some observers of the Shorebirds this year, his play has been every bit as impressive as that of Manny Machado. He earned his crack at the Carolina Leauge by batting .316 in 51 games for Delmarva with 12 doubles, three triples, eight homers and 34 RBIs. He hit .375 against left-handed pitching and .308 with runners in scoring position. Even though Schoop was signed as a shortstop, he was playing third at Delmarva when Machado was there and will likely not see too much time at short with Frederick. Garabez Rosa is starting there now and Machado could be at Frederick at some point over the next several weeks to man that position.