Showalter on Schoop, Peterson, Britton and more (postponed)

Jonathan Schoop will try to bust out of his slump tonight against Yankees right-hander Sonny Gray. He's batting fifth for the first time this season after occupying the cleanup spot in 21 games.

Manager Buck Showalter also used Schoop once as the leadoff hitter and batted him third in 14 games.

Nothing is working for Schoop while he's gone 3-for-20 with seven strikeouts in his last five games. Three of the strikeouts came last night against Nationals starter Max Scherzer.

He's getting good pitches to hit and can't consistently square up the ball. And the problem may be compounded by the team's offensive woes and the desire to pick up the slack.

"Sure," Showalter said. "Players are so talented at this level and there's such a small separator. And when things are going well, you can do no wrong. When things get going in the other direction, you're always trying to figure out a way to stop that snowball, and Jon's trying to do it with one pitch. It's pitch recognition.

"It's hurtful to watch him struggle because I know how much it means to him and how much he takes it internally. He'll get it going. He has hit some balls hard. There aren't many guys who have that click sound when he squares a ball up. He hit some balls real hard in Tampa."

Jace Peterson is batting leadoff again tonight. He went 0-for-3 last night to lower his average to .171, but he drew praise in his first at-bat for working Scherzer for 10 pitches.

It's the small victories that keep a team going as it falls further below .500.

Peterson was playing left field for the Yankees while the Orioles visited the Bronx in April. He's appearing in his 29th game with his new team.

"Jace is a baseball player," Showalter said. "I've been real pleased with, knock on wood, how he's played third base. He made a play the other night that reminded me how we haven't been turning hits into outs like we need to. That was a play that, if you think about it, he turned a hit into an out.

"He's a guy that can play, I'd feel comfortable, one, two, three, four, five or six positions. He's ready, he's very professional, he runs well. I still think if you look at his background as a hitter, it hasn't been good this year, but ...

"Someone asked today how you beat Scherzer. Well, you have to have a bunch of at-bats like he had to lead off the game and you've got to grind the really good guys.

"He's a good kid. I'm impressed by him. You know what you're getting. You never have to look for him, whether it's pinch-hit or pinch-run. He knows what's expected of him and I'm a little surprised he hasn't hit a little bit better because he's got some skills hitting. He was really well thought of at one time and he's still a young guy. Real athletic."

Infielder Danny Valencia will come off the paternity list and rejoin the Orioles for Friday night's game. The Orioles could go back to a four-man bench, likely optioning left-hander Donnie Hart to Triple-A Norfolk.

"He explained a lot of things that were going on, some a little too much information," Showalter said. "He's excited. He should be."

Zach Britton is expected to pitch again on Saturday, with the weather determining the affiliate.

Britton struck out three batters last night in a scoreless inning with Single-A Frederick in Wilmington. He gave up a broken-bat infield hit among his 17 pitches.

"Without throwing anybody under the bus, he thought the base hit could have been ruled an error," Showalter said. "I actually wasn't expecting him to be that crisp and that sharp. I don't know if it was intentionally, but he came in against three left-handed hitters. I don't think that'll happen a whole lot during our season. But it's a good start. You couldn't ask for more. So, we'll take a look at the weather and see where he goes next and see where it fits in the schedule."

Britton was in the clubhouse today and likely will travel on Friday.

Outfielder Colby Rasmus is expected to report to Double-A Bowie on Friday to begin a rehab assignment. Rasmus has appeared in only eight games with the Orioles due to a hip injury. He was 2-for-21 with 13 strikeouts.

Reliever Darren O'Day, who remains on the disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow, is feeling much better. He'll need to pitch in at least one rehab game with an affiliate.

Chris Tillman threw another bullpen session today in Sarasota. Gabriel Ynoa also had a work day at the Ed Smith Stadium complex.

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Aaron Judge RF
Greg Bird 1B
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Didi Gregorius SS
Aaron Hicks CF
Neil Walker 3B
Austin Romine C
Gleyber Torres 2B

Sonny Gray RHP

Update: Tonight's game has been postponed due to rain and will be made up on Monday, July 9 as part of a single-admission doubleheader beginning at 4:05 p.m.