New third base coach Gary Allenson acknowledges that he doesn't know what the future might bring, but he's thrilled to be back on a major league coaching staff after seven-plus seasons managing in the minors between big league jobs.

"It's obviously been a long time waiting," said Allenson, who was in his fourth season managing at Triple-A Norfolk when he was called up to fill the third base coaching box vacated by Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel. "The last time I was up was in 2002."

Allenson, who caught for seven seasons in the majors, already has coached at the major league level for two teams. He served as bullpen coach and third base coach for the Boston Red Sox from 1992 to 1994 and coached first base and third base for the Milwaukee Brewers from 2000 to 2002. His minor league managerial experience is extensive and includes stops at every level over 15 seasons.

There is no question about his qualifications, but there is some question how long he will be here since Samuel is the interim manager and likely would be offered his old job back if the Orioles hire a permanent manager from outside the organization.

"They just said, 'You're coming up to coach third base,' " he said. "I've always been a guy who believes you can't worry about the things you can't control."

The Orioles also announced Friday that minor league infield coordinator Bobby Dickerson has been named interim manager of the Tides, which would seem to indicate that the permanent job will be kept open in case Samuel returns to his old job and Allenson is sent back.

"If that would happen, then that might be the case," Allenson said. "I've always been a team guy. If this opportunity lasts two weeks, then I'll go back there and hope they bring me back up next year."

Samuel was asked about the same possibility.

"That's an interesting possibility," he said. "Hopefully, we'll all do a good job and we'll stay around."

Roberts' debut delayed

Injured second baseman Brian Roberts had a small setback in his return from a herniated disk in his back and was unable to play in an extended spring training game Friday. He was scheduled to get four at-bats and play second base.

"He came in today with some unrelated back pain," Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail said. "It should just delay his introduction for baseball activity for a day or so. Hopefully, that doesn't change."

Roberts hasn't played since the Orioles' home opener April 9. The club was hoping he would play in extended spring training games through Thursday and then report to one of the minor league affiliates on a rehabilitation assignment and possibly be activated from the 60-day disabled list during the West Coast trip, which starts June 14, or the following homestand, which begins June 22.

Givens out 4-6 weeks

Single-A Delmarva shortstop Mychal Givens, the Orioles' second-round pick in last year's draft, is expected to miss "at least 4-6 weeks" with a sprained left thumb, according to Orioles assistant director of player development Tripp Norton.

Givens injured the thumb in the Shorebirds' 8-4 loss to Greensboro on Tuesday, and he was placed on the DL on Thursday. In seven games since joining Delmarva last month, the 20-year-old infielder is batting .222 (4-for-18) with four RBIs.

Baltimore Sun reporters Jeff Zrebiec, Dan Connolly and Dean Jones Jr. contributed to this article.