Surhoff lends a hand in the minors

It is not an official coaching position, but former Oriole B.J. Surhoff has recently been seen at Frederick and Bowie. He's lending a hand with some Orioles minor leaguers and was also recently seen observing the Orioles from a press box suite at Camden Yards. "B.J. has been kind enough to do some consulting on some player development issues," O's director of player development, John Stockstill said. Surhoff was at Bowie last night and is there again tonight. Surhoff played the game with a lot of passion and intensity and you would think any young player could pick up some pointers from him. In other minor league developments, catcher Caleb Joseph, who has been on Bowie's disabled list with an injured right shoulder since July 24, should be activated sometime around the middle of next week. Pitcher Wynn Pelzer, who the O's acquired in the Miguel Tejada trade, reported to Bowie tonight and is likely to pitch in tonight's game with New Britain. Brandon Erbe, who was scratched from a recent injury rehab start with Aberdeen due to recurring shoulder soreness, should be back on a mound soon. The O's are hoping he will soon make another start for Aberdeen. By the way, with Josh Bell now with the Orioles, Brandon Snyder is playing third base and Nolan Reimold first base tonight for Norfolk. It's no position change for Snyder, but he could make several more starts at third.