Showalter updates Beckham surgery (O's down 8-4)

With Tim Beckham undergoing core muscle surgery today, the Orioles will begin the process of getting him back to full health while figuring out the most effective method to compensate for his absence.

Danny Valencia remains at third base tonight and Jace Peterson is starting at second. Peterson was moving around the infield before batting practice, taking grounders at third and simulating tag plays at second.

Beckham is expected to miss six to seven weeks after his procedure in Philadelphia, which Showalter said "went well."

"I know the doctor sent an e-mail out to everybody," Showalter said. "I know he's resting as comfortable as he can be. I love how people say, 'resting comfortably.'

"He'll be here tomorrow. Brian (Ebel) said he'll start the rehab tomorrow. Actually plan to get out and do some walking tomorrow if he can. That's the plan tomorrow."

The injury may have existed for a while and finally reached the point where it required surgery.

"I know he feels a real peace of mind to get it behind him because it's something that I think has been a challenge for him in his career some, but nothing to the extend it was here lately," Showalter said. "He feels good about getting it behind him.

"We've done four or five of those with real good results."

The list includes Nick Markakis, Brian Roberts, outfielder Henry Urrutia and former minor league second baseman Ryan Adams.

"This guy (Dr. William Meyers) has got a pretty good track record," Showalter said. "He's considered the expert in the country."

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop will fly to Sarasota on Sunday and perhaps play in an extended spring training game on Wednesday.

"Jon's champing at the bit now," Showalter said. "He says he thinks he could play tonight. We've got it mapped out until, in a perfect world, when he would join us if it follows the schedule. But we feel comfortable about activating him on that date if he feels good through all those assignments. And it would still be inside of a bad oblique. So, so far, so good. We may have hopefully stayed away from that month and a half one."

Outfielder Colby Rasmus is hitting down in Sarasota as his latest progression. He's on the disabled list with a hip injury.

Update: C.J. Cron hit a two-run homer off Dylan Bundy in the first inning to give the Rays a 2-0 lead. Bundy allowed only one homer in his first five starts.

The Orioles have been outscored 28-7 in the first inning.

Update II: Wilson Ramos hit a two-run homer in the second, also on a 92 mph fastball, and the Orioles are down 4-0. Bundy allowed only five earned runs before tonight.

Update III: Two runs and five hits for the Rays in the third inning. All singles. The Orioles are down 6-0 and Bundy is at 67 pitches.

Update IV: Trey Mancini's RBI double and Manny Machado's run-scoring single in the bottom of the third reduced the lead to 6-2. Caleb Joseph started the rally with an infield hit with one out.

Update V: Bundy tied his career high by allowing seven earned runs (eigth total) in 4 2/3 innings and the Orioles trail 8-2. Bundy surrendered 11 hits, walked one, struck out four and hit a batter.

Update IV: Adam Jones hit a two-run homer in the fifth to reduce the lead to 8-4. His 557 extra-base hits tie Boog Powell for fifth on the Orioles' all-time list.