Britton throws batting practice, Duquette talks about Tejada

BOSTON - Orioles left-hander Zach Britton threw 47 pitches today in live batting practice at the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota. The reports on Britton's left shoulder continue to be positive, and he'll pitch in an extended spring training game on Thursday. Britton is scheduled to start three extended spring games, including May 15 and 21. He could begin an injury-rehab assignment in the minors on May 26. The Orioles probably want Britton to start at least two games in the minors before they consider activating him from the disabled list. Jumping topics here, executive vice president Dan Duquette said infielder Miguel Tejada will take a physical Monday in Sarasota. If he passes it, Tejada will sign a minor league deal - Duquette called it an "Aberdeen contract" - and work out at extended spring training. Tejada wouldn't get paid until he joined a team, and contrary to some reports, the Orioles haven't signed him yet. In a sense, we're talking about a tryout. The Orioles will let him go if they aren't impressed. "He would like to get back into playing, and it looks like he played pretty good defense last year for the Giants at third base. He has been a productive right-handed bat, so we'll see if he still has more to offer offensively," Duquette said. "There will be an evaluation period, seven to 10 days. We'll see what kind of shape he's in and how he does. He has a lot of enthusiasm for Baltimore, obviously, and he's a good, veteran player. He came to us and said he's still interested in playing ball. He lives in (south) Florida. And I think he still has an apartment in Baltimore." Asked if the Orioles have actually agreed to terms, Duquette said, "Yeah, but we're not going to be paying him to play in extended spring. It's an evaluation period. He's going to report and he's going to have a physical and if he passes the physical we're going to sign him to a minor league deal and then we're going to take a look at him. "He didn't like the way last year turned out and he still thinks he has something left in the tank." Tejada hasn't played since February in the Caribbean World Series.