Utility player Flaherty tries catcher on for size

BALTIMORE -- Ryan Flaherty has played every infield position and both corner outfield spots in his 12 games as a member of the Orioles, and on Wednesday he tried out another position in batting practice.

At about 3 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with just a few Orioles on the field for some early warmups, Flaherty took on the role of catcher.

Manager Buck Showalter has joked this season that the Orioles have an emergency catcher on the roster but never revealed who he had in mind. Flaherty said he could be that guy.

"I talked to [bench coach John Russell] about it a little bit, and he just said he wanted to work with me just in case of emergency," Flaherty said. "I feel like I could go back there in the case of emergency and try to help."

Comfortable at every position except pitcher -- "I don't think you want to see me get on the mound, I think it would be trouble," Flaherty joked -- Flaherty started in left field on Wednesday night.

Showalter raved about Flaherty on Tuesday, saying the 25-year-old likely would have made the roster independent of his Rule 5 status. Showalter even said that Flaherty would probably get a shot to be an everyday player.

"Whatever role I'm in, I'm just trying to help this team win and play good baseball," Flaherty said. "It's to the point now, I think, over the last couple of years I've played a lot of positions, so I feel pretty comfortable with whatever it is."

As good as he feels everywhere in the field, the Rule 5 Draft pick's bat is yet to come alive at the plate. Flaherty has only four hits -- all singles -- in his first 26 at-bats.

"I'm just trying to have productive at-bats," Flaherty said. "Trying to get on base and help this team, and the rest will take care of itself. That will come over time."