Mike Flacco

Mike Flacco is among seven players signed by the Orioles.

By Dan Connolly | dan.connolly@baltsun.com

June 17, 2009
Ty Wigginton had his best game of the season Sunday, blasting two homers for the first time in 2009.

On Tuesday, the Orioles' first game since their Sunday blowout victory over the Atlanta Braves, Wigginton found himself out of the lineup again.

Such is life for a reserve player, a concept Wigginton is still getting used to.

"This is all new for me. I've always been the guy who not only played more than one position but as long as I was healthy I played every day," Wigginton said. "So adjusting is pretty much the hardest part."

When the Orioles signed Wigginton, it was as a super-utility player who would see time at the corner infield positions, second base, left field and designated hitter. But with left fielder Nolan Reimold and designated hitter Luke Scott emerging as everyday players and third baseman Melvin Mora healthy, Wigginton's playing time has shrunk.

He played in 20 of the team's first 24 May games but has just 19 at-bats in the Orioles' past 16 games, dating to May 27.

"There's definitely been some frustrating days, especially when you come to the yard and there's a pitcher over there that you know exactly what he's going to do to you ... or you've hit him at a .400 clip throughout your career or something and you're not in there; those are the days that are more frustrating," said Wigginton, who is batting .235 with five homers in 162 at-bats this season. "At the same time, it is what it is. It's out of my control. The only thing I can do is be ready when they ask me."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley said he expects Wigginton to have plenty of at-bats by season's end.

"I think over the course of a long season it all evens out. I don't know who I was going to put him in there for [Tuesday], to be honest with you. It's a situation like with [Oscar] Salazar. I wish I had 10 guys to play, but I've only got nine."

Eight picks signed
The Orioles have signed eight of their 2009 draft picks, including Steve Bumbry, a Virginia Tech outfielder who is the son of former Oriole Al Bumbry, and CCBC-Catonsville third baseman Mike Flacco, younger brother of Ravens quarterback Joe.

The new signings are: Bumbry (12th round), California-Davis third baseman Tyler Kelly (13th), Lamar pitcher James Brandhorst (20), Louisiana-Monroe pitcher Justin Anderson (24th), Flacco (31st), Appalachian State pitcher Josh Dowdy (38th) and Puerto Rican high school outfielder David Rivera (45th).

The Orioles have not announced where the players will start their careers, but given his college experience, Bumbry is likely headed to Aberdeen, the short-season Single-A affiliate, which starts its season Friday.

Flacco likely will start at Bluefield, the club's Rookie-level Appalachian League affiliate, which begins play Tuesday.

Erbe to Aberdeen
Double-A Bowie pitcher Brandon Erbe (McDonogh) will rehabilitate his fatigued right shoulder beginning this week with Aberdeen.

If a simulated game goes well, he'll begin pitching in short stints until he is stretched out to five innings and returns to Bowie, Orioles development director David Stockstill said.