SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles pitcher Zach Britton has scheduled an appointment with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday in Pensacola, Fla.
Britton hasn't pitched since Thursday in a minor league game because of inflammation in his left shoulder. He was scratched from Monday's start at Twin Lakes Park.
Orioles orthopedist Dr. John Wilckens has been in contact with Andrews, who will examine Britton's MRI taken on Feb. 8.
Britton says there's no tear in his shoulder, and he's seeking the source of the inflammation that's prevented him from appearing in a Grapefruit League game this spring.
I'll plug in quotes later, but I wanted to give you a few more noteworthy items.
Tsuyoshi Wada, Jason Berken and Darren O'Day threw bullpen sessions today. Wada will throw three innings or 45 pitches on Thursday in a minor league game. Berken and O'Day will pitch in relief in that same game.
Catcher Taylor Teagarden's lower back is improving since the epidural.
Second baseman Brian Roberts looked great taking batting practice and infield, perhaps his best day of the spring. However, the club still hasn't discussed an exact date when he could debut this spring.
Manager Buck Showalter hasn't dismissed the idea of breaking camp with 13 pitchers, but he'd prefer going with 12. The Orioles will need a fifth starter right away because the first open date on their schedule doesn't appear until April 12. The next one is April 23.
Showalter will meet with his coaches and executive vice president Dan Duquette after today's game to discuss roster cuts, which could be announced later this afternoon or tomorrow.
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