masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgTriple-A Norfolk infielder Jonathan Schoop, the Orioles’ No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America, has been out the last few days with a lower back strain, according to Orioles vice-president Dan Duquette.

Duquette said via text tonight that Schoop “is resting a few days.”

Schoop last played on Sunday for Norfolk when he had three hits, including a homer and three RBIs. Schoop is 5-for-9 over his last two games.

On the year, in 34 Norfolk games, he is batting .268 with six doubles,…Triple-A Norfolk infielder Jonathan Schoop, the Orioles’ No. 3 prospect according to Baseball America, has been out the last few days with a lower back strain, according to Orioles vice-president Dan Duquette.

Duquette said via text tonight that Schoop “is resting a few days.”

Schoop last played on Sunday for Norfolk when he had three hits, including a homer and three RBIs. Schoop is 5-for-9 over his last two games.

On the year, in 34 Norfolk games, he is batting .268 with six doubles, three homers, 18 RBIs and a .717 OPS. After batting just .222 in 23 games in April, Schoop is batting .348 with two homers, eight RBIs and a .862 OPS in 11 games in May.

Schoop gained some national attention in March when he had a huge game for the Netherlands against Cuba in the World Baseball Classic. He went 3-for-6 on March 8 with a homer and four RBIs. He went 6-for-28 with two homers and six RBIs in the WBC.

He was 4-for-6 for the Orioles in spring training games this March. The 21-year-old Schoop was the Orioles’ Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year in 2011.

With O’s second basemen not hitting much in Baltimore, some fans have wondered if the team would consider a call-up of Schoop. It appears the answer to that question is not quite yet, as the organization for now seems content to have Schoop continue to develop during his rookie season at the Triple-A level.

No word yet on how long the Orioles expect Schoop to be out of the Norfolk lineup.