BALTIMORE — The Orioles have said a second opinion confirmed their prognosis on Zach Britton’s left forearm strain, but that doesn’t mean the closer will be returning anytime soon.
According to MLB.com and multiple outlets, the two-time All-Star reliever will miss the next 45 to 60 days after re-injuring his left forearm pitching in Boston last week. Manager Buck Showalter said that Britton would be reporting to Sarasota after visiting with sports orthopedist Dr. Neil ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Monday, but he offered no details on the timetable for when the left-hander would begin a throwing progression and subsequent rehab assignment.
“Talking to the doctor, it’s laid out,” Showalter said. “In fact, I was just reading the email from [head athletic trainer Richie Bancells] per the doctors, our doctor, the people he’s seen. They’re all in agreement with the protocol and the way the program’s going to work down in Sarasota.”
Britton originally hurt his forearm throwing a breaking ball in Toronto on April 14 and was placed on the disabled list two days later. Acknowledging over the weekend that he returned too soon, Britton was activated on May 2 and completed two scoreless appearances despite lacking the usual sink on his two-seam fastball. He woke up Friday morning with recurring forearm discomfort and underwent another MRI that showed no structural concerns with his elbow, according to Britton and the Orioles.
Right-hander Brad Brach has handled most of the Orioles’ save opportunities in Britton’s absence with veteran Darren O’Day also receiving a few. Brach has gone 8-for-9 while O’Day is 2-for-3, but Showalter said he will avoid overworking any of his relievers despite it being a trying time for a bullpen without its standout closer.
“A lot depends on health [and] how we feel they are physically,” Showalter said. “I’m hoping Mychal [Givens] gets into that mix and Donnie Hart might close a game out for us. I’m hoping another guy kind of steps forward as potential for that. It’s kind of a matchup thing and a health thing. I’m not ever going to broadcast who’s not available, but we’re going to continue to monitor that real closely.”
