Showalter on Schoop, rotation and more

The Orioles are back home tonight for a three-series homestand after going a combined 0-6 in Anaheim and Oakland. They're 5-10 at Camden Yards.

According to STATS, the Orioles have gone winless on back-to-back road trips with at least two games in each series only three times in club history. It also happened in June 1987 and June/July 1998.

The last team to go winless on back-to-back road trips was the 2016 Rays, who were 0-7 from June 20-26 and 0-3 from July 8-10.

Also according to STATS, the only other team in the majors to go winless on back-to-back trips, with each trip lasting five games or more, was the 1890 Pittsburgh Alleghenys. They went 0-7 from Aug. 1-8 and 0-22 from Aug. 13-Sept. 2.

The Alleghenys lost a record-41 consecutive road games and finished 23-113. They were renamed the Pirates in the 1891 season.

So, it can always be worse.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop came off the disabled list today, with Engelb Vielma optioned to Triple-A Norfolk. Schoop hasn't played since April 13 and he wanted more at-bats last night at Single-A Frederick before joining the club.

"He was making the grand tour," said manager Buck Showalter.

Schoop is batting cleanup for the first time in his major league career. He's occupied every other spot in the order.

"It's good to have Jon's skills and his personality back on the club," Showalter said. "Hopefully, he helps some defensively."

The Orioles are confident that Schoop's oblique has healed, but the true test always comes in major league games.

"It's not like you're going to be able to alter the outcome," Showalter said. "You know it's professional games and pitchers with other uniforms on, there's still a little different intensity level, but I don't know what else you can do to get him ready. Pass as many tests as you can at that level. But all indications are that he's ready to go physically."

The Orioles need Schoop to provide a boost at the plate and on the field, given the club's batting woes and rising error total.

"I think as much his presence, too," Showalter said. "Another guy with a track record and some things that you know he's capable of. Who knows? Jon's made an error and Jon's had a strikeout. But you know the capability is there and as importantly his teammates and the other team know that."

Chris Tillman will close out the series on Thursday instead of being held back for Saturday's doubleheader against the Rays. Kevin Gausman had been the listed starter. Alex Cobb likely will start Game 2.

"He was going to pitch somewhere and after (Kevin) Gausman's outing, I felt like he needed an extra day after nine ups the first time in a while," Showalter said. "Talking to Kevin a little bit the day after his start, and I really wanted to give Cobb an extra day.

"I've found through the years, when you have those off-days, you better take advantage of them, because after the next one we've got a long string of pitching every fifth day. We're very proud of the health of our guys over the years, because it's hard and you've got to think about it before it happens.

"Who we're going to pitch in this doubleheader Saturday, other than Alex, if it had been Chris and somebody else ... Chris has had his challenges this year. And then put another guy there also. But I think the biggest part was Gaus getting an extra day. And after Roger (McDowell) and I looked at it and talked to him afterward, we just felt like it was the best way to go, especially if you look at down the road after the next off-day, the way it shakes out."

Showalter said the Game 1 starter on Saturday could be "someone currently here," which makes Mike Wright Jr. a candidate.

"The 26th guy would help cover that," Showalter said. "That's another reason why Alex will probably pitch the second game of that doubleheader."

Any candidate from the bullpen obviously would be eliminated if needed to pitch for an extended stretch in the Royals series.

Wright has made four relief appearances since lasting only two-thirds of an inning in an April 8 start at Yankee Stadium. He allowed two runs and one hit and walked three batters over 1 2/3 innings in his most recent outing May 2 in Anaheim.

Asked if there's a way to quantify when it's a good situation for Wright, Showalter replied, "Part of it is being effective when you come in."

"That's one thing," he said. "We're not piggybacking. This is the part where you try to get people out and if not ... It's not an ideal situation for him, but I know it sure beats the alternative. But Mike's just going to have to be a little more effective when he comes in and gets an opportunity."

David Hess worked seven scoreless innings this morning at Triple-A Norfolk, allowing one hit and striking out 10. He threw 84 pitches, 60 for strikes, and isn't a consideration to start Game 1.

"As much time as he's had off and the effectiveness of his season, we feel like if we were going to use him it would be more as a reliever during that period," Showalter said of Hess, whose ERA is down to 2.12. "It was important that he start (today), especially with a 10:30 gig."