FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Freddie Bynum will have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee and miss at least five weeks, ending his bid to be Baltimore's starting shortstop on opening day.

Bynum complained about a sore knee early in camp, and an MRI revealed a torn meniscus. After trying to play through the pain, he decided surgery was the best option.

"I wasn't thinking about the 25-man roster or anything," Bynum said Saturday. "I was just thinking about my career, trying to be healthy and doing the things I know that I can do, which my knee won't let me do right now.

"Me being a speed guy, I want to get it taken care of so I won't miss much time."

Bynum was competing with Luis Hernandez and Brandon Fahey to fill the void at shortstop left by the offseason trade of Miguel Tejada to the Houston Astros. By submitting to surgery, Bynum eliminated himself from contention.

"I'm not even thinking about that. That's the last thing I'm thinking about. Right now, I'm just thinking about getting my knee better and getting healthy," Bynum said. "That's nothing I can control anyway."

The decision came after Bynum felt soreness in his knee after a light workout Friday. He spoke with his parents, his agent and the Orioles training staff before deciding on surgery. The operation will take place in Baltimore within the next few days. After that, Bynum will go through a rehabilitative program at the team's minor league camp in Sarasota.

"It's just an unfortunate thing for him because he wanted to come in here and get a shot to play shortstop, and this thing has probably set him back somewhat for that," manager Dave Trembley said.

Bynum hit .260 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 70 games with Baltimore last season. He stole eight bases and was caught only once.