David Lough hopes to take advantage of playing time to earn more (Heim update)

After Alejandro De Aza was designated for assignment by the Orioles, it would seem that opened up more at-bats for someone at a corner outfield spot.

Who that may be, we are going to find out. But right now, with Jimmy Paredes as the everyday designated hitter, there are still four players vying for playing time in left and right field: Steve Pearce, Delmon Young, Travis Snider and David Lough.

Lough is starting in left field and batting seventh tonight. He started Game 2 last night, so this is back-to-back starts for Lough.

It is not only the first time this year he has started two straight games, it is the first time since last June 9-10.

"Whatever I can do to help the team, is what I'm here for. Two starts in a row, not what I usually get but will definitely try to take advantage of it," Lough said this afternoon.

Lough went 2-for-3 with an RBI last night, and his night included a stolen base and a sac bunt. He can bring some speed and small ball to a team that sorely lacks both.

"Definitely. Whatever the situation calls for," he said. "To get that guy over from second to third and try to bunt for a hit and let Manny (Machado) and Travis (Snider) try to get him in. And that is what they did, and we got a run, and it helped us win the game."

Lough has played in 29 games this year, but many of those were as a defensive replacement. He has just 36 at-bats, and is batting .278.

He talked about the difficulty of trying to get his bat going without much playing time.

"As hard as anyone can imagine, believe me," he said. "Getting a couple of starts and then going on the bench for five or six days can be really tough. It's a tough job, but I've kind of embraced it, you know. Try to go out when I do get my chance and help out wherever possible."

Then there is the pressure to produce so you get more starts. Lough is trying avoid such pressure.

"You put pressure on yourself in this game, it will eat you alive," he said. "And you'll be out of it real quick. I just try to do the little things that help ballclubs win and use my assets with speed and bunting to help us secure more runs."

Did the DFA of De Aza send a message to the corner outfielders that they need to produce more for the team?

"It is unfortunate he had to leave. A great guy and you definitely learn a lot from him. But we don't put pressure on ourselves to step up in any way," Lough said. "Obviously, bats have been slow as of late. But can't just blame that on the outfield, it's as a group, as a team. It's our job to get better and put up more runs for our pitching staff."

Starts this year in corner outfield spots:

27 - Alejandro De Aza
23 - Delmon Young
22 - Travis Snider
9 - Steve Pearce
8 - David Lough

Heim headed for surgery: During his pregame press conference today, Orioles manager Buck Showalter told reporters that Single-A Delmarva catcer Jonah Heim is headed for left foot surgery. Showalter didn't know how long Heim will be out. Heim, who turns 20 on June 27, was drafted in the fourth round of the 2013 draft.

In 36 games for Delmarva, he was batting .258 with a homer and 16 RBIs. A switch-hitter with solid defensive skills, Heim was ranked as the Orioles' No. 26 prospect after the 2013 season and No. 28 after 2014.

Heim suffered a lisfranc, or midfoot injury sliding into second base on Tuesday. It is rare that baseball players suffer this injury and more prevalent in football. He will see a foot specialist in Baltimore, and the surgery could potentially end Heim's season.