Orioles executive VP Dan Duquette indicated Monday that Ryan Flaherty is the favorite to be the club's designated hitter against right-handers following the Wilson Betemit injury. "Wilson's strength is his left-handed bat against right-handed pitching, but (Ryan) Flaherty's got a good bat left-handed," Duquette said. Flaherty batted .216/.258/.359 with six homers over 167 plate appearances last year for the Orioles and has hit .239 with three homers this spring. It's not clear how long Betemit will be out, but the O's might eventually have to look for DH help outside the organization.

Ryan Flaherty hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th as the Orioles rallied to tie a Red Sox split-squad 3-3 on Friday. The homer came off journeyman Oscar Villarreal. Flaherty is hitting just .241 this spring, but he has three homers and two doubles among his seven hits. It'll be interesting to see if the Orioles keep him around come Opening Day. Right now, they'd seem to have three bench spots going to Alexi Casilla, Nolan Reimold/Nate McLouth and backup catcher Taylor Teagarden. That'd leave just one spot, and it should probably go to one of the right-handed bats (Russ Canzler, Conor Jackson, Danny Valencia, Steven Pearce) capable of splitting time with Wilson Betemit and Chris Davis.

Ryan Flaherty hit a walkoff three-run homer off Neil Wagner as the Orioles beat the Blue Jays 11-10 on Thursday. Flaherty improved to 4-for-17 this spring. The Orioles appear committed to Alexi Casilla as a utilityman, so if Brian Roberts stays healthy, Flaherty, a Rule 5 pick a year ago, could be sent to Triple-A to play regularly at the beginning of the season.

Ryan Flaherty will start at second base in Game 3 of the ALDS against the Yankees on Wednesday. Robert Andino started at second base in Game 2 with left-hander Andy Pettitte on the hill, but Flaherty is back in there with right-hander Hiroki Kurdoa on the bump for the Bombers. Nate McLouth is hitting leadoff Wednesday and will be followed by J.J. Hardy, Chris Davis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Jim Thome, Mark Reynolds, Flaherty and Manny Machado.

Ryan Flaherty blasted a grand slam homer and drove home five runs as the Orioles routed the Red Sox 9-1 on Friday night. Flaherty finished the game 2-for-4 with a homer, double, two runs scored and five RBI. It was far and away the finest offensive effort in the 26-year-old rookie's career. In limited duty, he's hitting .232/.276/.387 with six homers and 19 RBI in 142 at-bats.

Orioles activated INF/OF Ryan Flaherty (bacterial infection) from the 15-day disabled list. He's starting at second base and batting eighth against the Blue Jays on Friday. The 26-year-old utilityman is returning to a .205/.242/.308 slash and part-time role.

Ryan Flaherty (bacterial infection) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Norfolk Tuesday. He's been out since August 1 with a bacterial infection that caused severe swelling in his tonsils. Flaherty shouldn't need too many rehab games before returning later this month.

Ryan Flaherty (bacterial infection) could begin a minor league rehab assignment next week. Flaherty hasn't played since August 1 due to a bacterial infection that caused severe swelling in his tonsils. He's still waiting for the swelling to fully subside, but has experienced significant improvement after being put on antibiotics. The Rule 5 picks should be back later this month if all goes well.

Ryan Flaherty will get blood work Wednesday. Flaherty has been diagnosed with acute tonsillitis, but the O's are concerned that he might have mono. Look for the utilityman to land on the disabled list soon.

Ryan Flaherty hit his first big-league homer leading off the bottom of the first against the Rangers' Colby Lewis on Thursday. It was the first of three straight homers hit by the O's, as J.J. Hardy and Nick Markakis followed with their own solo shots. The last team to do that to start a game was the Brewers on Sept. 9, 2007, when Rickie Weeks, Hardy and Ryan Braun all homered to start a game against the Reds. It was the first time it had happened in Orioles history. Flaherty followed up his homer with strikeouts in each of his remaining three at-bats. He's not currently an option in AL-only leagues.