Hearing from Showalter after 10-9 loss to Twins

SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles infielder Ryan Flaherty underwent a SCAT3 test, per standard procedure, after being hit on the batting helmet today by a Brian Duensing pitch in the sixth inning. Flaherty will be reevaluated in the morning.

Flaherty left the complex after telling teammates that he was fine. One player said the ball hit Flaherty on the back of the helmet.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter removed Flaherty from the travel roster for Wednesday's game against the Twins in Fort Myers.

"I think he's going to be all right," Showalter said. "Richie (Bancells) and them will be in touch with him through the night and see how he feels tomorrow. It was scary. He felt good, he wanted to stay in.

"It's funny, I was in the dugout and I saw the catcher's target and John (Russell) was standing beside me and I said, 'Don't hit him,' out loud, and about that time you see that. Hate to see it, especially with two strikes. Guys are really in that get out over the plate, defensive mode, especially against a left-hander."

Matt Wieters' first game behind the plate was largely uneventful. He did field a swinging bunt in the second inning and threw to first, but Josmil Pinto was ruled safe.

"The guy was out at first base, too, so I'll throw that one out," Showalter said. "I'm sure he's got a lot of thoughts, but it was good to see him out there. He seemed to feel good. We'll get him back out there day after tomorrow. I think tomorrow's kind of a big day, see how he feels.

"There's still a different level when the game's on the line and adrenaline's flowing and everybody's operating at somewhat full speed, but he's crossed a lot of barriers. I'm sure he's welcomed the opportunity to get some game-speed stuff under his belt. The swinging bunt there, I'd love to see what was going through his head as he was running out there. But he's fine. I expect him to be ready to go day after tomorrow. I'm glad he was able to get six innings under his belt."

Showalter said Wieters' start didn't become routine after the first inning. The manager was still aware of the significance.

"You still glance at him, and he's thinking about pitch sequence and what he's going to call and what he called and what the guy's doing," Showalter said. "I think he'll tell you he kind of got in the flow of the game a little bit. I asked him one time, 'What are you thinking?' And that's what he said. But I'm sure he's got some private thought about it. It was a long road back."

Bud Norris allowed three runs and five hits over four innings, lowering his spring ERA at 11.74 in three starts. He surrendered two home runs, one wind-aided.

"A little better," Showalter said. "Changeup was good. I think each outing has been a little bit better. It was obviously a very hitter-friendly day. Anything up in the air was flying.

"He was better. Had his pitch count up, got through four innings. He was a pitch away in both innings from getting out of it clean. He'll make those pitches once we get going."

Jimmy Paredes went 2-for-2 with a two-run triple to raise his average to .478.

I asked Showalter what he saw on the ball hit to right field that initially was ruled a home run before umpires sent Paredes back to third base.

"You mean after they showed the replay so the umpires would change it on our board at home?" Showalter asked. "Somebody's going to have a bad day upstairs. No, it's all right. They got it right."

Paredes remains the biggest surprise in camp, though Showalter keeps referring back to the infielder's successful stint last summer in limited duty.

"If you hadn't had some history with him," Showalter said. "Jimmy had some big hits for us last year and played well, played with a lot of energy. I know from being in other dugouts, he presents some challenges for the opposing manager. Obviously, in the National League he's a guy you can double-switch with and play in a lot of places. He can run. You don't have to pinch-run for him. You don't have to make two or three moves for one thing. And he's a switch-hitter. He's a weapon off the bench.

"Jimmy's a young man - 26 years old. He's younger than Dariel Alvarez, OK? I can tell he likes it here, he likes the environment. I don't think anybody enjoyed September and October more than Jimmy Paredes last year. He was engaged, he had a blast, and Jimmy's here trying to make this club."

Keeping Paredes is complicated by the fact that he's out of minor league options and most likely would get claimed if placed on waivers.

"We have no options, but we've got plenty of options," Showalter said. "We keep him if we want to. We'll see. But we've got some things between now... We're only halfway."

Other than a 4-12 record, is everything else this spring leaving Showalter satisfied with his club?

"Like I say every spring, the biggest thing you want to get out of this - one of, if not the - is the healthy, and so far pitchers are maintaining their health and the people that we know are going to be on the club and serving a significant role are where they need to be," Showalter said. "I think we all know that probably in a week or so you'll probably see a little different sense of, not urgency, it's just the timetable - you start seeing the finish line and you know there's X-number of opportunities to get yourself ready. Your competitive time clock."