Orioles pitcher Troy Patton's court setting, which had been rescheduled for Friday, will now take place March 30 in Houston. That will likely allow Patton to not miss any time during spring training or during the 2011 season.

The Orioles' season opener is April 1, while Triple-A Norfolk will begin April 7. The 25-year-old left-hander is a long shot to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster.

Patton was charged with DWI on Jan. 23, when his vehicle ran over a curb in a Houston city street. He made a preliminary appearance at the Harris County Criminal Court on Jan. 28, according to Harris County Assistant District Attorney Donna Hawkins.

Patton, who has not had a previous drunken driving arrest according to Houston police, could potentially offer his plea March 30 if the hearing is not reset again. Hawkins said it is not unusual for court dates to be reset more than once.

It's possible that Patton requests admittance into an accelerated rehabilitation program for first-time offenders -- which would involve a strict year of probation.

Patton pitched in one game for the Orioles in 2010 after missing most of the past two seasons because of injury.