Pearce trying to stay sharp in limited role with O's

BOSTON -- Steve Pearce has made just one start for the O's this season, on his 31st birthday (April 13), but he said prior to Friday's game at Fenway Park that he's staying ready for whatever manager Buck Showalter needs.

"I understand my role on the team," said Pearce, who has appeared in three games. "Obviously I'm not going to play first base -- [Chris] Davis is there. Obviously I'm not going to play the outfield -- we have great outfielders. So I'm just trying to do what I can, stay sharp and if something happens I'll be ready."

Pearce has just seven at-bats and one hit, a double, although he could see some more time soon given the club's seven-game road trip that includes three different start times in three days.

"It's almost like you go back to Spring Training mode," Pearce said of trying to stay game ready. "You go in there and try to make the best of the time given. You are not locked in by any means, so you got to go out there and keep grinding. It's a lot harder than playing every day.

"You can only practice so much, you can't work on game situations in practice. So, you just try to stay sharp, stay strong in the weight room, take your BPs. And stay strong mentally, too. That's the toughest part."