Updating Harvey, Showalter on Scott and more (game update)

TORONTO - Orioles top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey will be out at least six weeks, according to an industry source.

Harvey was scratched from a scheduled start last night due to "posterior shoulder instability." In his last Baysox start, Harvey gave up six runs and five hits over two innings. That raised his ERA from 4.15 to 5.57 after nine starts.

The source said that Harvey "will undergo six weeks of physical therapy" on the shoulder and then the Orioles will decide the next step.

"He's got some shoulder discomfort they're looking at," manager Buck Showalter said this morning. "Nothing done throwing a baseball. Kind of a freakish thing. I know the time frame, and he's going to be down for a little while."

Meanwhile, Chris Davis is not in the starting lineup for the second day in a row. Davis is sitting today against right-hander Aaron Sanchez and Showalter called it a manager's decision. Davis is 6-for-59 with 29 strikeouts over his past 17 games.

The Orioles are struggling at the plate with or without him. They've scored just eight runs in four games on this road trip, 37 the last 17 games and have scored three runs or less in 17 of the past 21 games.

"It's been such a long sample now that it's concerning," Showalter said. "Because we have kind of gone into it as a group for the most part, with some exceptions. Just so long you can talk about track records. You seek your level, but the level has to get better with what we're doing."

The list of struggling Orioles includes second baseman Jonathan Schoop. He has followed up his breakout 2017 season hitting .224/.257/.362 and is 4-for-30 his last eight games.

"Jon is just, his rhythm at the plate, he's just not there. He's not seeing the ball or recognizing pitches like he's capable of. He'll get it going, but its been frustrating for him because we know what he's capable of. With the way we are having trouble scoring runs, he is trying to get it all back in one at-bat, and that just doesn't work," the skipper said.

Will the Orioles be looking for outside help or callups from the minors to help the offense?

"It has (been the case) since April has been over. We've got some situations we are dealing with down below, some injuries and stuff. Colby (Rasmus) had a good night last night, that was good to see. We're going to sit down on Monday when we get back and kind of re-gather where we are with everything," Showalter said.

The Orioles officially welcomed Darren O'Day back from the disabled list today. He has returned from a hyperextended right elbow after pitching twice this week for Single-A Frederick. Lefty Tanner Scott, who touched 100 mph here last night, has been optioned to Triple-A. Scott has a 4.96 ERA in 13 games. It's clear Showlater is impressed with Scott's improvement and he'll be back when the chance presents itself.

"It's always tough," Showalter said. "I want to keep him on a good schedule. He's having a good year and he's made some real strides. I want to keep the ball in his hands. Those rainouts kind of put him ... and then we had some close games. It's just good for him. With Zach (Britton) potentially coming back Monday, he's a guy that's on a good path. I want to keep him on it. He's got a chance to really help and I want to keep the ball in his hand.

"Our (development) guys have done a great job with Tanner. Holding runners. Command of his slider. That's become a real good pitch for him. He's following a very similar path of some really good relief pitchers and it's been fun to watch. It reminds you of some really good relief pitchers that have that slider. I don't want to start name-dropping and put that onus on him. But he's got a chance to be pretty good."

So the Orioles get O'Day back today and Britton likely on Monday. Will the bullpen pitchers move right back into their regular roles or be eased back in? The latter is preferable.

"You would like to, but the opposition doesn't always cooperate," Showalter said. "I'd like to start it that way. I'm hoping we have a lot of winning opportunities when they get here. I'll look to try and create a way to get their feet wet first.

"He's checked every box, and some of them twice. I don't what else ... he, the trainers and Brian Ebel did a great job with him. It's been, knock on wood, as good as you could hope it to go without any setbacks. Knock on wood. Been huge the way he's responded.

"We had to thrust some people into roles that they haven't been accustomed to, not that they are not capable of it. So, I think there will be a comfort zone, especially if they come back and pitch well. I expect they'll have some hiccups along the way."

Toronto gets lead: The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in the third on Yangervis Solarte's RBI single, the third straight hit to start the inning. But Kevin Gausman pitched out of that jam allowing just one run and he stranded two runners in the second as well. The O's stranded two in the third when Manny Machado popped out with two on and two down. The O's are 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the series.

Gausman through five: It's still 1-0 as the game headed to the sixth. Gausman has retired his last eight in a row, allowing the one run on five hits with three strikeouts on 67 pitches.