Jonathan Schoop is coming back to the Orioles a day earlier than expected. After Saturday's 3-2 loss to the White Sox, O's beat writers got wind that Schoop is with the team in Chicago now and he'll be activated before Sunday's game, rather than before Monday's game, as the original plan appeared to be.
The reason that Schoop's return was lined up for Monday is that the Orioles were planning to make use of Nolan Reimold's upcoming placement on the paternity list to be able to move Schoop onto the roster without having to designate someone for assignment - for a few days, at least. Instead, the team decided to option Ryan Flaherty to Norfolk on Saturday.
Reimold's soon-to-be paternity leave could still play into the Orioles' roster situation over the next few days. A player can be on the paternity list for up to three days and that player is able to be replaced by someone who is still within the ten day window after being optioned.
One possible set of moves that sounds like it might have the necessary level of Duquettishness could see the O's immediately recall Flaherty on Monday if Reimold goes on the paternity list as initially scheduled. That buys them three games in Minnesota where they don't have to deal with what remains of their roster crunch; Reimold's return, whenever it happens, would still necessitate making a tough choice somewhere.
With the placement of the All-Star Break coming up soon, the Orioles could get away with hiding a player in the minor leagues and potentially only have them miss five games. If Flaherty or even Schoop were optioned following Wednesday's game against the Twins, there's an off day on 7/9 and also from 7/13-7/16 due to the All-Star Game. So if they optioned one of those guys over the All-Star Break, they could return on 7/19, missing only the Nationals series at Camden Yards and two games of the series in Detroit after the break.
Of course, with Chris Davis starting to soak up time in right field, Jimmy Paredes ensconced at designated hitter, an Schoop coming back, the O's could also make the choice that it's time to part ways with Steve Pearce, who, like those who have been DFA'd before him, just isn't getting the job done right now. If they did this, the outfielder crunch that has seemed to persist since the beginning of the season would finally be resolved, at least for now.
Now stop reading about Orioles roster moves on July 4th and go enjoy grilled food, alcohol, and potentially dangerous explosives, as our forefathers intended. Drink ... ... ... responsibly.