ARLINGTON, TEXAS — When, a year ago today, Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop suffered a knee injury that slammed shut a promising start to his 2015 season, many anticipated that his breakout would be put on hold.

There's renewed optimism that this year holds big things for Schoop after Friday night's two-homer performance actually gave him a better start than the one he enjoyed last season.

“I feel really good,” Schoop said. “We're winning. That's all that matters, getting the wins. That's the most important thing. Everything is going good. Offense is good. Defense is good.”

Entering Saturday night's game, Schoop was batting .314/.351/.686 with three home runs, four doubles and eight RBIs in 10 games. He played nine games before he tore his PCL and sprained his MCL after an awkward step on first base last April 17 in Boston. When he went on the disabled list, he had three home runs and seven RBIs with a .259/.310/.630 line.

The difference, for him, is in the team's starts.

“I feel better because we're winning,” Schoop said. “When we win, everybody's helping. I can hit four home runs. If we lose, it don't matter.”

Manager Buck Showalter praised the work Schoop has done to keep his knee healthy since, and said he has been impressed so far.

“He's on a mission,” Showalter said. “He's doing the things it takes to stay healthy, too. As long as some freak thing doesn't happen, he's put himself in a position to be successful.”

Plans for Gausman, Matusz: Showalter said left-hander Brian Matusz (back strain) will make one more appearance for High-A Frederick this week before his rehabilitation assignment expires Wednesday, though he wouldn't say what the next step was for right-hander Kevin Gausman (shoulder tendinitis).

Gausman, who joined the Orioles in Texas ahead of a side session today, said he felt physically strong and liked how his splitter had moved Friday night in Frederick. While acknowledging that his fastball command had a ways to go, he said he was ready to come back.

“I don't think there would be anything wrong with getting another one, but at the same time, I want to pitch for the Orioles,” Gausman said. “And I want to be up here. I don't want to miss any more starts. That's the biggest thing. I just want to get back up here, be a teammate and contribute, actually do something.”

Showalter said he has a plan of “what's going to happen next,” but that the Orioles would wait until after today's workday to disclose it.

Gausman struck out eight in 31/3 innings, but the plan was for him to go five innings.

“Throwing [74] pitches in 31/3?” Showalter said. “I'd like to see a little bit better use of those pitches.”

Matusz allowed one run on two hits in three innings of relief in his fourth rehab appearance Friday.

New situations for Kim: Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim said he's using the scant opportunities he is getting to build a base for when the opportunities begin in earnest for him.

“I'm definitely going to learn through all the experiences, the new experiences I'm getting,” Kim said through translator Danny Lee. “I'm going to try to make adjustments every time so I can be a better player every time [I get a chance].”

After making his major league debut and reaching on a pair of seeing-eye grounders for his first two major league hits last Sunday, Kim earned another start in front of the tricky Green Monster on Wednesday at Fenway Park, and drew a pair of walks.

Then, in an effort to give him another new experience, Showalter put Kim in the game as a pinch hitter with two outs in the ninth inning against Rangers closer Shawn Tolleson. Kim worked the count full, then hit a single to right field.

The Orioles' outfield situation is crowded and becoming more so with Nolan Reimold and Mark Trumbo both streaking, and Joey Rickard solidifying himself as the everyday left fielder.

But for Kim, everything comes back to improving in the chances he does get. When asked about missing the opportunity to play against fellow Korean Shin-Soo Choo, who is on the DL for the Rangers with a calf injury, he doubled back to that.

“It's not much of a disappointment,” Kim said. “I just wish Choo gets better and he gets back onto the team so he can play the way he has been playing. On the other hand, I'll try my best to perform better and put numbers up so we can eventually play together.”

Around the horn: Right-hander Todd Redmond, who allowed 15 earned runs in five innings over two starts for Triple-A Norfolk, was released. … Pedro Alvarez made his first start since Wednesday at designated hitter. Reimold, who homered Friday, was out of the lineup Saturday. … The team is monitoring today's weather, with rain expected all day in Arlington.

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