Orioles select infielder Flaherty in Rule 5 (updated twice)

DALLAS - As expected, the Orioles made a selection today in the Rule 5 draft. But it wasn't a pitcher. Picking fourth, the Orioles took infielder Ryan Flaherty, 25, from the Chicago Cubs' Triple-A roster. He was a sandwich pick in 2008 out of Vanderbilt. Flaherty batted .305 with 20 doubles, two triples, 14 homers, 66 RBIs and a .907 OPS in 83 games at Double-A Tennessee, and .237 with 11 doubles, one triple, five homers and 22 RBIs in 49 games at Triple-A Iowa. He's a utility infielder, which the Orioles seem to be stockpiling after signing Matt Antonelli and Steve Tolleson. Flaherty bats from the left side. "Ryan is a high draft pick from an excellent college program and we really like his bat," said executive vice president Dan Duquette. "He has a reasonable chance to contribute at the major league level this season." The Orioles removed infielder Pedro Florimon from the 40-man roster earlier this week so they'd be eligible to participate in the draft. The roster is currently full, but they can remove other players later to make room for acquisitions and free-agent signings. The Orioles didn't lose anyone in the major league phase of the draft. They'll have to give the Rangers a draft-eligible player to complete the Taylor Teagarden trade. The Rangers can choose from a list of four. In the Triple-A phase of the draft, the Orioles selected left-hander Andrew Loomis from the Double-A Reading roster. Loomis, 26, was 1-2 with a 1.14 and three saves in 28 games with Single-A Clearwater of the Florida State League. He allowed 27 hits, walked 10 and struck out 39 in 31 2/3 innings. In the Double-A phrase of the draft, the Orioles selected infielder Matt Sweeney off Tampa Bay's Single-A roster. Sweeney, 23, batted .154 with 11 doubles, one triple, seven homers and 29 RBIs in 82 games at Double-A Montgomery. He's from Gaithersburg. The draft is over and the Orioles didn't lose anyone.