Notes on Schoop, the rotation, Ortiz and more (O's down 2-1)

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Former Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop took his last swings in the cage this morning at Hammond Stadium, headed down the dugout steps and knew he was being followed.

One of Schoop's tools must be eyes in the back of his head.

He turned and smiled as a couple members of the Orioles beat crew waited for him to notice. What followed was a four-minute reunion that included his thoughts on leaving the Orioles - and their lack of interest in bringing him back - close friend Manny Machado's record-setting contract with the Padres and former third base coach Bobby Dickerson's influence on his life and career.

Many of Schoop's ex-teammates are gone, with Machado leaving in July in a trade with the Dodgers. Schoop was sent packing a few weeks later, dealt to the Brewers for a three-player package that included pitcher Luis Ortiz, who's pitching later today in relief.

Machado signed a 10-year, $300 million contract with the Padres, the largest in baseball history that eventually should be eclipsed by Bryce Harper.

"Really happy for Manny," Schoop said. "I think he deserved it, so I'm happy for him, and a new journey for him, too. He'll have fun for sure."

Schoop signed early in free agency, agreeing to a one-year deal with the Twins on Dec. 6 that guaranteed $7.5 million.

"A couple of teams called and talked to me, but I feel this is the right fit," said Schoop, who's batting third today in his first game against the Orioles. "They're young, they've got a really good core of guys. They have young talent and I feel like I fit right in with him.

"The manager (Rocco Baldelli) called me and talked to me and made me feel at home already. The decision was quick for me to come here."

Leaving the Orioles last summer hurt Schoop, who fought back tears outside the visiting clubhouse at Yankee Stadium. He still misses them.

"A lot, yeah, I do," he said, "but I'm here and it's fun. I like it so far. There's a lot of good guys here and there are a lot of good guys left over there, so I'm excited to play against them today."

Schoop isn't aware of any contact between the Orioles and his agent after the Brewers non-tendered him.

"It's OK," he said.

"It's a fresh start, it's a new chance. It's a new team, so I'm excited. Last year taught me a lot. It made me better. It made me a better person and it made me a better player. I'm better now and you guys will see it, too."

It was a hard lesson for Schoop to absorb. Thrust into a pennant race in Milwaukee one year after being chosen Most Valuable Oriole, he slashed .202/.246/.331 in 46 games and became a part-time player. He received only eight at-bats in the playoffs.

"It's like walking into a new school," he said. "You know most of the guys because you play against them, but going to another team, it was tough, but you get used to it. It helped me be a better player and it helped me to be a better man, too."

Joining the Twins allowed Schoop to be reunited with Nelson Cruz, his teammate on the 2014 Orioles that reached the American League Championship Series. Cruz was a clubhouse leader and Schoop wisely hung on his every word.

"It's like old times," Schoop said. "Me and him, we laugh and have a lot of fun. We're excited for the season. We're excited to be back with each other and do a lot of handshakes after home runs.

"He helped me a lot. Manny, too. But Cruz was the guy who taught me and helped me when I was a rookie. It's good having him right now and to keep helping me. I kind of know what I'm doing, but with his experience and his talent, he's going to be help me more and I'll more consistent."

Schoop's new journey takes him farther away from Bobby Dickerson, now an infield coach with the Phillies. Dickerson mentored Schoop from the low minors to the major leagues and they stayed in contact after the trade, routinely exchanging text messages.

"Bobby's like my daddy since I was 16," Schoop said. "Bobby made me the player that I am right now. The defense, calmed me down, helped me out a lot. I'm happy for him that he got a job in Philly."

* Manager Brandon Hyde already has decided to start Dylan Bundy on Thursday in Clearwater and he said Andrew Cashner and Alex Cobb won't be far behind.

"They'll be making starts in the next week," he said.

* Hyde said Rule 5 infielder Drew Jackson, starting at second base today, will get some looks in center field in camp.

Jackson and shortstop Richie Martin create a Rule 5 double play combination today.

* Nate Karns is working as a starter in camp and is first to take the mound today. Whether he ends up working in a long relief role will be determined later.

His swing-and-miss stuff makes him an intriguing candidate. And there's also his injury history.

"I think as camp goes along, we'll make those decisions," Hyde said. "Right now, we're just looking forward to stretching him out, kind of seeing what we have. Health is the biggest key. He's had some injury history the last few years with a couple of really good years before that as a starter.

"In an ideal world he's stretched out, he feels healthy, he's in the rotation from that standpoint. If not, then we'll try to find a way. I think we're going to do the best for him, for us, and this is the first step in deciding what direction we're going."

* Luis Ortiz, who said he lost about 25 pounds in the offseason, will work in relief today and try to impress with more than his conditioning.

"I think he's lost a ton of weight," Hyde said. "When we had our individual meeting, and not knowing him going into this, just watching him in September a little bit, it was noticeable. I didn't even recognize him at first. I saw him at FanFest. Yeah, credit to him to get himself in shape and dedicate himself to his career.

"He talked a lot about that, where he's got a young family now and a little bit of a wakeup call, what happened. Being a first-round pick and bouncing around a couple of places and having his experience in September, he realized this was a real opportunity for him and to dedicate himself to his profession and to be a pro. And he did that. He lost a ton of weight, came in in great shape, throwing the ball good. I'm looking forward to watching him."

* Hyde said five or six bullpen spots are opening, depending on how many relievers he carries.

Mychal Givens and a healthy Richard Bleier are the locks.

"I think there are only a couple guys who are solidified on the club," Hyde said, "and then everybody else is competing for a major league job."

Update: Eric Young Jr. homered with two outs in the second inning to reduce the Twins' lead to 2-1.

Nate Karns allowed two runs in the first inning, both scoring on Byron Buxton's two-out double with the bases loaded. C.J. Cron was thrown out at the plate - Young to second baseman Drew Jackson to catcher Austin Wynns.

Karns allowed three hits, walked a batter and struck out one. He threw 26 pitches, 14 for strikes.