masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A group of Orioles are taking early batting practice under the lights at Tropicana Field, including Jonathan Schoop, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, David Lough, Ryan Flaherty, Steve Pearce, Steve Clevenger and Jemile Weeks.

Other players are hitting inside the cage in the tunnel that leads to the dugout.

The sun is shining and it’s hot outside, but they’re preparing for indoor baseball.

Schoop has three hits in his last 22 at-bats, and four in his last 26. Hardy hasn’t…ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – A group of Orioles are taking early batting practice under the lights at Tropicana Field, including Jonathan Schoop, J.J. Hardy, Manny Machado, David Lough, Ryan Flaherty, Steve Pearce, Steve Clevenger and Jemile Weeks.

Other players are hitting inside the cage in the tunnel that leads to the dugout.

The sun is shining and it’s hot outside, but they’re preparing for indoor baseball.

Schoop has three hits in his last 22 at-bats, and four in his last 26. Hardy hasn’t homered in his first 86 plate appearances.

Kevin Gausman remains on the seven-day disabled list at Triple-A Norfolk, but his health has improved dramatically after being diagnosed Friday with pneumonia.

Gausman threw a bullpen session yesterday and said he’s feeling “great,” adding that it went smoothly and there were no setbacks.

Gausman isn’t sure when he’ll throw again, but it’s apparent that he’s not going to miss significant time after being scratched from Friday’s start and undergoing an MRI to determine whether he sustained an injury.

The Orioles initially believed that Gausman may have strained his left intercostal muscle. He would have been recalled to aid a depleted bullpen following the previous day’s doubleheader if not for his health crisis.

Gausman, 23, is 0-1 with a 2.53 ERA in five starts with Norfolk. He’s been kept on a strict pitch count, but had been cleared to throw 90 in his next outing before going on the disabled list.