Darren O'Day on rejoining the Orioles

TORONTO - Orioles reliever Darren O'Day rejoined the club today after spending a few days with the Single-A Frederick Keys and pitching twice at Woodbridge, Va., against the Washington Nationals' Potomac farm team.

O'Day has been on the disabled list, retroactive to May 6, with a hyperextended right elbow. When he pitched for the Keys on Tuesday, he walked three batters, got just two outs and saw all three runs score on a grand slam after he left the game. But last night, he pitched a scoreless inning with three strikeouts and one hit batter.

He leaves the Carolina League with an ERA of 16.20 in two games. But he feels good and is likely to be activated for Saturday's game. He said he feels ready to return to the majors.

"I think it was my perfect inning," he said, tongue firmly planted in cheek. "Three strikeouts and a hit by pitch. Couldn't ask for a better inning. I'm excited about that and throwing strikes. First one, I had more walks in that inning then I had the first month here. That is an indicator that I wasn't right. But stuff was crisp and my arm felt better. Yesterday was much better.

"I enjoyed going down there and getting to know some of the guys. Just being there it brought back some good memories of A-ball and I enjoyed getting to know the guys. Personally for me, the first game I didn't throw very well. Couldn't find the strike zone. I think I was too excited to be back pitching in a game. Took a day off and pitched much better. I knew where my pitches were going, so that was nice. Felt pretty good and I anticipate I'll be activated here pretty soon."

No doubt some of the young pitchers are happy to have a veteran leader back in their clubhouse, as well.

"Glad to be back. We are all together so much here, you kind of take each other for granted," O'Day said. "I'm gone for three days and everybody acts like I've been gone for a month. Good to be missed and good to be back."

O'Day's last game with the Orioles was May 4 at Oakland. He is 0-1 with a 3.77 ERA and two saves over 14 1/3 innings. Did his DL stint last longer than expected?

"No one really knew," he said. "To say it took longer was a little unfair, because no one really knew. When it happened (this same injury) to Tom Wilhelmsen in 2015 in Seattle, it took him 30 days. We're a few days past that, but I'm pushing senior citizenship in baseball here. So, yeah, it just takes awhile. I woke up one day and it didn't hurt anymore, so I feel good."

He hopes to pick up where he left off and help locked down some wins late in the game. Will he be able to pick up where he left off?

"I don't know. It's a different game here at the Rogers Centre, than down at PWC (Prince William County) Sports Complex in A-ball," he said. "I hope I'll be better. I enjoy pitching in front of crowds. The attendance here will be a little bit better than high-A Potomac."