BOSTON — The way he casually navigates the tight confines of the Fenway Park visiting clubhouse, Ryan Flaherty always looks at ease. But he can never get comfortable.

Despite being one of the most veteran players on the Baltimore Orioles, Flaherty endures the yearly battle for his major league job. And every year the Orioles end up needing Flaherty, 28, the Portland native and Deering High graduate.

Before Saturday’s game against Boston, the Orioles put second baseman Jonathan Schoop on the disabled list with a partial ligament tear in his right knee. And there was Flaherty starting at second and batting eighth for the Orioles.

“The season has a way of bringing (the whole roster) into play,” Orioles Manager Buck Showalter said. “Today is just another opportunity someone gets.”

And Showalter often turns to Flaherty. He played a career-high 102 games last year.

Flaherty is now in his fourth season with Baltimore – only Adam Jones, Chris Tillman and Matt Wieters have been on the roster longer.

But that doesn’t mean Flaherty can relax. This past offseason, Baltimore acquired infielders Everth Cabrera and Jimmy Paredes. More competition for Flaherty.

“It will probably be like that the rest of my career,” Flaherty said. “It’s just part of the gig.”

The gig pays well. Flaherty was eligible for arbitration this year and received a 100 percent raise, to $1 million.

Flaherty broke spring training camp with the Orioles – and both Paredes and shortstop J.J. Hardy on the disabled list. Flaherty played the opener at Tampa Bay and homered. He played only three more games before Saturday, getting one more hit and two walks.

“Just grinding away, being ready to play every day,” Flaherty said. “If you’re in the lineup, you do what you can to help the team. If not, you might have to go in the game – could be any position, any time in the game.”

Flaherty played every infield position last year plus both corner outfield spots. It doesn’t matter where they put him.

“You just have to be ready,” he said.

Flaherty was ready Saturday when he saw his name in the lineup. In the second inning he singled up the middle in his first at-bat in six days. In the fourth, he lined an outside fastball into left for another single.

Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz finally got Flaherty in the fifth, striking him out with the bases loaded.

Flaherty finished the game going 2 for 4 with two singles.

Flaherty will see more time with Schoop on the DL. Paredes was activated Saturday to replace Schoop on the roster. And the Orioles are still waiting for Hardy’s shoulder to feel good enough for him to begin a minor league rehab assignment.

When Hardy returns, who knows what will happen … but chances are Flaherty will still be in an Orioles uniform, checking the lineup for his name.

RIGHT FIELDER Shane Victorino was a late scratch with bruised ribs. He crashed into a wall in Friday’s game, attempting to catch Caleb Joseph’s homer while leaping at the short wall near the right-field foul pole.

CATCHER RYAN Hanigan took a foul ball of his right (throwing) hand but stayed in the game.

RIGHT-HANDER RICK Porcello (1-1, 3.86) is scheduled to make his second Fenway Park start Sunday for the Red Sox.

He pitched eight innings in the home opener Monday, getting his first victory in a Boston uniform.