Steve Wilkerson on returning to the Orioles

After he made a pretty solid first impression in a short time frame last week, infielder/outfielder Steve Wilkerson rejoined the Orioles today. He is expected to be activated before tonight's game with Seattle.

Wilkerson had his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk last Tuesday when the Orioles played in Washington. The next night, he made his major league debut as a ninth-inning defensive replacement. Then, in the series finale a week ago tomorrow, he made his first major league start and it came versus the Nationals' Max Scherzer. He also started the next night in front of about 100 family and friends in Atlanta.

In three games with the Orioles, Wilkerson went 1-for-5 with an RBI single. His first big league hit came in the wild ninth inning last Friday in Atlanta and drove in a run. He had also made a great defensive play at third base in Washington with a diving stop along the third base line to rob Michael A. Taylor.

But Wilkerson's stay was short. He was optioned back to Norfolk on Saturday, played in a doubleheader there Monday and also played last night. He went 0-for-4 with three RBIs in the twinbill and last night went 2-for-4 for the Tides. He had a double, homer, scored two runs and drove in one.

His whirlwind ride over the last week now brings him back to Baltimore today.

"I got the call last night about 11 o'clock and (there is) just as much excitement as the first time," Wilkerson said this afternoon. "I was at the hotel in Norfolk. I got in there on Monday morning for the doubleheader, and after the game last night, they told me I was headed back up here.

"You know, the excitement is still the same coming back up, but the anxiety is a little bit eased and I'm just really excited. Looking forward to being around up here and helping the team any way I'm asked."

Wilkerson's first stay in the big leagues was short, but still provided him time to learn, he said.

"Just watching these guys play - watching the best of the best play - you learn something every day," he said. "So going back to Norfolk, I was excited to get back on the field and perform and felt like I hit the ground running there on Monday, and had a couple of good days there and learned. Try to learn every day. That is goal here: to learn and get better every day."

Wilkerson brings some defensive versatility to the roster. He has played just third base with the Orioles so far, but made starts at second, third and left field at Triple-A.

"I don't think it's hurt," he said. "When they told me last year that I'd be moving around a bit, they told me it would only benefit me, and like I've said before, I worked really hard at it. I've had enough time at each spot that I feel I'm ready to play anywhere they tell me to."