David

Newhan

Baltimore manager Lee Mazzilli wantd to give Tim Raines Jr. a start against Detroit. Newhan should be back in the lineup against Roy Halladay tonight.

The 30-year-old Newhan became a free agent this week after the Rangers failed to promote him to the majors. Newhan was hitting .331 at Triple-A Oklahoma, and was 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts. He will serve as the Orioles’ utility infielder. However, if Melvin Mora is out of action for any length of time, Newhan could get some playing time at third base.

Although he’s bound to cool off, Newhan is worth owing at the moment.

Melvin Mora missed his third straight game, causing Newhan to play third. Newhan isn’t the only Oriole experiencing new things, as catcher Sal Fasano played first base for the first time in seven years on Saturday and reliever Steve Kline threw 48 pitches, his highest total in more than eight years. The turmoil in Baltimore continues.

Newhan started 11 of the Orioles’ 16 games since being recalled from Triple-A. ''I really didn’t know what my role was earlier,’' Newhan said. ''I don’t know if I really had a role. I think it’s just kind of being defined a little more, into more of what I envisioned I had a chance at doing earlier in the year.’'

Newhan (leg) was scheduled for a doctor’s examination this week to determine if he was ready to begin working out with the Orioles and start a rehab assignment. He’s out indefinitely.

Newhan has been on the disabled list since April 19 with a fractured right fibula and could begin a minor league rehab assignment relatively soon.

Newhan took batting practice Tuesday. “It feels pretty good,” Newhan said. “I’ve been running the bases, hitting, fielding. I am doing everything I can to get back.” He won’t have much chance for playing time once he does return.

Newhan is likely to return once rosters expand next month, but won’t have much of a role.

Baltimore originally said Newhan would begin his assignment with Triple-A Ottawa after this weekend, but his quick recovery changed that. The utilityman hopes to return by Sept. 1.