Early notes on Flaherty, Santander, Rickard, catchers and more

Not much to report this afternoon from Camden Yards as the Orioles took batting practice beneath a threatening sky. A light rain began to fall and the tarp was unrolled at 5:03 p.m. as players headed indoors.

Ryan Flaherty started at second base today at Single-A Frederick and went 2-for-4. Reports say he threw much better.

Flaherty will work out with the Orioles on Thursday and likely head to Triple-A Norfolk. His rehab assignment ends on Aug. 15, but manager Buck Showalter is hoping that Flaherty returns earlier.

Showalter said he'd like Flaherty to play a couple of games in the outfield.

"We're comfortable playing Ryan anywhere," Showalter said. "He can catch, but not comfortable with him catching."

Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander served as the designated hitter today with Double-A Bowie and was 1-for-3 with a double and walk to leave his average at .625. He collected three hits last night, including a double and home run, and also threw out a runner at the plate.

Santander's assignment also runs until Aug. 15 and the Orioles will likely keep him on it. They don't currently intend to offer him back to the Indians, which will necessitate a roster move to create room for him.

Showalter didn't dismiss the idea of carrying Flaherty, Tim Beckham and Rubén Tejada, but it seems impossible without an expanded roster. A four-man bench would need to include Santander and a back-up catcher. Also, Showalter is far more likely to trust Craig Gentry or Joey Rickard in the outfield than Flaherty.

Rickard seems to be more comfortable this season playing in major league outfields.

"Joey's been solid out there this year, very quietly," Showalter said. "He's actually throwing better than I've ever seen him throw. He works at it. Wayne (Kirby) makes sure those guys throw to a target every day.

"Joey's played well out there. It's comforting to have really three guys who can play center field."

Mark Trumbo still could be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on Aug. 9, the final day that the Orioles are in Anaheim. The Orioles will decide whether he needs a few at-bats in the minors.

Showalter continues to alternate Welington Castillo and Caleb Joseph behind the plate. Joseph gets the start tonight with Jeremy Hellickson making his Orioles debut.

"We've got two guys playing well and catching in August, and July is tough," Showalter said. "I think it makes them both better and makes us better, so I want to keep them both in the flow. We're lucky to have two guys who can do what they do. I guess it's by design a little bit."

Showalter intended to start Joseph tonight, no matter who was on the mound.

"In some cases, we'll catch them back to back," Showalter said. "Probably try to split it up as much as we can. And if somebody has kind of a little hot hand with a certain guy, we'll play that into it. Roger (McDowell) reminds me of that, who it is. That's a good thing.

"You can have a hot hand one week and all of a sudden it turns into a cold hand if the guy's not pitching well."

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Beckham was the first Oriole last night to have multiple hits and runs scored in his debut after playing for another club in the same season since catcher Brook Fordyce on July 30, 2000 against the Indians.

For the Royals
Whit Merrifield 2B
Melky Cabrera LF
Eric Hosmer 1B
Salvador Perez C
Mike Moustakas DH
Jorge Bonifacio RF
Alcides Escobar Ss
Alex Gordon CF
Ramón Torres 3B

Jason Vargas LHP