Showalter on Santander, Sept. 1 callup talk and more

OAKLAND, Calif. - The Orioles are expected to add Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander to their major league roster next Thursday. That would be two days after his 20-day rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie ends.

Teams have 48 hours after the end of the assignment to add players. Even though the Orioles are off that day, Santander will have to be added on the 17th and he would then be active when the Orioles start a six-game homestand next Friday.

The 22-year-old native of Venezuela was taken from the Cleveland Indians organization last December at the Winter Meetings. He's been on the big league DL all year with a right forearm strain.

With Bowie, through Saturday's games, Santander is batting .370 with five doubles, four homers, 13 RBIs and an OPS of 1.184 in 14 games.

"The thing that I am trying to get a feel for and haven't had a real definitive answer and I don't think anybody can yet, is what kind of defender he's going to be," manager Buck Showalter said this morning. "You can't make the ball be hit to an outfielder. I think a lot of our people think it (his defense) will be okay but I don't think anybody is ready to completely commit.

"Each day that passes we get a better feel for it. It's just so different up here - the third deck, the depth perception, the ball gets to you a little faster. He's done well for the most part."

Showalter is also tracking Ryan Flaherty's progress on his rehab assignment with Bowie. He's batting .412 with two homers and six RBIs in 11 games and has made starts at second, short, third and left field.

Showalter had indicated earlier on the road trip that Flaherty could be activated off the DL for the Seattle series that begins tomorrow, but he's not ready to commit to that just yet.

"Still talking with Dan (Duquette) about that. He came out of the game last night because of the rain delay. We're waiting. There is a possibility we could do it back home, but we'll see what the need is.

"When he's ready he's coming. Just (checking on) the arm. Making sure he's able to throw and be ready the next day. He's swinging the bat well. He's ready to go offensively."

Showalter said today that he and Duquette have not yet begun to discuss which players could be Sept. 1 additions.

The skipper was asked if Bowie outfielders Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays could be September additions.

"Those are two guys playing in Double-A," he said. "The last thing our players want to hear about...it's about the guys here. We're excited about their progress. There are a lot of variables involved there. The most important one being what is best for our club and trying to mesh what is best for them as young, developing players. They're intriguing. Excited about a lot of them."

Showalter noted that Single-A Frederick outfielder Ademar Rifaela from Curacao is leading the Carolina Leauge in homers with 22 and RBIs with 68.

"He's flying under the radar," the skipper said.

Since he got an off day here in Thursday's series opener, Chris Davis has gone 0-for-3 Friday and went 2-for-4 with two RBIs last night. Does Showalter see Davis' swing starting to come around?

"I thought his first night I felt that was a little different look. But, you know, yesterday he had something to show for it a little bit. We'll see. When Chris is good, he's real, real good. If he can just stay away from those long periods where it's a challenge for him. We're going to need him this last month and a half. Be nice to really have one of those Chris Davis periods (of hot hitting)," he said.