Notes on Wilkerson, Hays and Bleier

Stevie Wilkerson keeps showing up at the ballpark each day unsure if he's playing and having no clue which glove he'll be using if he does.

The Orioles gave Wilkerson 57 starts in center field this season and used him in 71 games. He's also played left and right field, second base, shortstop and third base and served as an emergency reliever on four occasions.

It's assumed that Wilkerson also is viewed as an extra catcher if the Orioles somehow run out of them.

The risk grew slimmer after they recalled Austin Wynns this month. But he's willing.

Two of Wilkerson's last three starts have come at second base and he subbed at the position in another game. Back to where he used to roam before the Orioles decided to experiment with him in center after optioning Cedric Mullins and designating Keon Broxton for assignment.

He began to share center with Anthony Santander, but the arrivals of Austin Hays and Mason Williams have returned him to the infield.

"We didn't have a meeting about it or anything," he said. "With the amount of outfielders that have come up recently, with Mason and Austin and those guys that need to get some ABs, they want to check them out. So I just kind of figured that if I were to get any action it would probably be more so in the infield than the outfield. But I'm a utility guy. It's every day, whatever position is what it's going to be."

Wilkerson takes grounders and shags fly balls everywhere. Probably in his sleep, too.

"Yeah, I've been doing that all along," he said. "Getting my ground balls during BP a couple times a week. For a while there it was that I really needed to get my work in in center field because of the lack of experience I had out there. But I got my ground balls in and my work in in different spots throughout the season."

You can't shock Wilkerson anymore. Unless maybe he's actually put behind the plate for a game.

"It's kind of been like that for, I'd say, since the end of last season," said Wilkerson, who's batting .215/.275/.371 with 16 doubles and 10 home runs. "I'm ready to play any position any day. If he wants me to throw the gear on, I'll do that, too."

His season couldn't get much stranger, and that includes how he earned the nickname "Dr. Poo Poo."

Wilkerson was reflecting on the absurdity of it all yesterday while sitting at his locker with DJ Stewart, flipping through photos stored in his phone.

"It's been a crazy year," he said, grinning. "From being DFA'd at the end of spring training to getting back up here by the end of April and staying here for most of the year. Having some highlights and some tough stretches along the way, as well.

"I think every year is crazy, and you never know what to expect, but I've got a feeling this one's going to end up being one of the crazier ones."

It won't necessarily assure Wilkerson of a spot on next year's club. He never assumes that he's safe. It's hard to stick on the 40-man roster, let alone break camp with the team.

"I really have no idea," he said. "I don't know which guys that are here right now will be back, who else will be coming in, which guys will be out. There's a number of different things that can happen.

"A player like myself, I've just got to come into camp in the best shape I can and be ready to roll and take advantage of every opportunity every day. There's really no predetermined thoughts I have going into it, other than try to play some good ball."

And stay ready in case he's also asked to coach or work concessions.

Hays is expected to stay in the lineup with the way he's playing center field and producing at the plate.

Hays homered last night, his second in the majors and first at Camden Yards. The other one was Sept. 16, 2017 at Yankee Stadium.

Last night's output left Hays with a .345 average (10-for-29), a .424 on-base percentage and a .589 slugging percentage. The two walks stood out for manager Brandon Hyde.

"The home run was impressive, but he's never really had a high walk total. Numbers in the minor leagues," Hyde said. "He's an aggressive player and if he can learn to lay off the borderline pitches the way he did tonight and get the ball in the strike zone, he's going to be a really good player.

"He showed he can jump on an above-average fastball. I was impressed with the walks. I really liked his at-bats."

Richard Bleier will be the 18th pitcher to start for the Orioles tonight. He's never done it in the majors, with all 159 appearances out of the bullpen.

Bleier started 124 games in the minors and 11 in winter league.

Aaron Brooks will follow him and, the Orioles hope, handle the bulk of the innings.