SARASOTA, Fla. -- Last year was a challenge for the Orioles in the middle infield, as J.J. Hardy struggled to play through a torn labrum in his shoulder, and a knee injury cut Jonathan Schoop's productive year in half.
But so far this spring, besides being strong physically, Schoop and Hardy have been two of Baltimore's most productive hitters. Entering Thursday night's split-squad game against the Twins at Ed Smith Stadium, Schoop was batting .406/.424/.656 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in 32 at-bats. Hardy was at .381/.435/.524 with two extra-base hits.