FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- While another group of pitchers throws batting practice today, Orioles left-hander Troy Patton will work on the side, resuming a scaled-down program designed to protect his ailing shoulder.
Patton, who made three appearances in September before the Houston Astros shut him down with left biceps tendinitis, is bothered by tightness in the shoulder and said he could have a tear in the labrum.
"I didn't get injected with the [dye], so they said they don't know exactly," Patton said. "They said most likely it's a slap tear. They know there's something going on in there, but they don't know how serious it is yet or what it is."
Patton, 22, conceded surgery is a possibility, but added that it's "premature at this point" to speculate.
"I've been throwing fine so far," he said. "My bullpens have been decent. I'm pretty optimistic about being able to pitch this year."
Patton, acquired in the Miguel Tejada trade, has been resting an extra day between sessions and reducing the amount of time he is on the mound while dealing with tightness that he said is likely the result of his not throwing for four months before he reported to camp.
He is trying to win a spot at the back end of the rotation, but he's falling behind the other candidates.
"We're going to have to really take a conservative approach and be careful with him," manager Dave Trembley said. "We have time in spring training for him to catch up. I don't want to take a course of action where we rush him."
Surhoff on staff
The Orioles expanded their spring training staff by welcoming former outfielder B.J. Surhoff as a camp instructor.
Surhoff, who hasn't played since the Orioles nontendered him in 2005, worked with the catchers yesterday.
"Whatever they ask me to do," he said. "I'm here to help Dave and his staff however I can."
Surhoff can assist at a variety of positions. He was the first overall pick in the 1985 draft as a catcher and later moved to third base and the outfield. The Orioles inducted him into their Hall of Fame last season after a 19-year career.
"I'm going to have him move around to different areas and take advantage of his expertise," Trembley said. "I just want him to lend himself toward helping out in any way he can."
Surhoff's approach to the game and the example he sets for younger players are more valuable to Trembley than any instruction.
"That's probably at the top of the list of why I asked him to come," Trembley said. "He epitomizes the way the Orioles played baseball. We'd like to get back to that. Having guys like him around is a step in the right direction for all of us and for our players."
Scott McGregor and Rick Dempsey will also work as instructors this spring, and Boog Powell could join them.
Screen play
The pitchers changed their routines yesterday by throwing from behind a protective screen to hitters rather than working on the side with only a catcher in front of them.
"We saw some good arms out there," Trembley said. "Command of our pitches was good. We'll have the other group throw [today]."
Aubrey Huff kept yelling at Jay Gibbons to swing the bat, but Gibbons was following the routine of taking most of the pitches.
"I'm a patient hitter now," Gibbons responded.
Around the horn
Second baseman Brian Roberts missed the workout with a stomach ailment. He's expected to return today. ... Trembley said he doesn't expect Gibbons to get any time at first base this spring. Gibbons will play left field and serve as the designated hitter. ... Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver visited camp, and Trembley invited him back to speak to the team. "I guess if we don't cut too much into his golf time, I think he would do that," Trembley said, laughing.
roch.kubatko@baltsun.com