Finding room for Pie

As I wrote earlier, Felix Pie will continue his injury rehab assignment tonight at Double-A Bowie after working out yesterday. He could return to the Orioles on Friday when they begin a three-city road trip in Boston. They'll need to figure out how to use him. Does Pie become the starting left fielder and leadoff hitter, with Corey Patterson taking a seat on the bench? Patterson has provided a spark at the top of the order, batting .272 and going 10-for-28 in his last seven games, but he figures to lose at-bats with Pie on the roster. So does Luke Scott, who's hitting .266 with 11 homers. The designated hitter slot could be occupied at times by Pie or Patterson. Interim manager Juan Samuel might need to give Scott more starts at first base, with Ty Wigginton shifting to second, though he can't forget about Scott Moore, who's 4-for-8 with a home run and three RBIs in his last three games. I'm not aware of any plans to put Pie in center field, but I'm sure that thought has crossed the minds of a few fans. Left-hander Zach Britton will make his Triple-A debut on Thursday against Charlotte. UMBC's Zach Clark is listed as the starter, but he'll step aside. Only one Zach at a time. Chris Tillman starts tonight for the Tides. I'm dragging my sore, tired body to the tennis courts this morning. I'll return in a few hours, more sore and tired, but better for the experience. That's what I keep telling myself.