Notes on Britton, trade rumors, Harvey, Flaherty and Castro

Orioles manager Buck Showalter has declared left-hander Zach Britton ready to resume closing at the next opportunity.

Britton has entered games in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings since coming off the disabled list again, and he hasn't been used in a save situation. He finished up last night's 12-1 win over the Rangers.

The last of Britton's five saves came on April 14 in Toronto before his first trip to the disabled list.

"He's ready to go," Showalter said. "If we get in a close situation and we need him, he'd be ready to go tonight."

Britton will continue to draw interest as the non-waiver trade deadline approaches and the Orioles are open to moving him. The Dodgers, Cubs and Astros seem to be the most aggressive teams, according to sources and various reports. It's just a matter of whether the Orioles go through with it.

Showalter was asked today whether he's talked to his players about the various rumors.

"That's one reason why I make the rounds every day during batting practice and the clubhouse," he said. "You get a feel. You know the players, you know when there's a little different distance. Guys are very experienced.

"Most of the people have been through this before and it's a very false deadline. It's a lot of fake drama. For every one that might be some validity to it, there's nine that aren't. It's really kind of a sad reflection on the people that are putting it out there. You'd like to keep a scorecard this time of the year. Why don't you do that? Keep a scorecard and go back and see how many people were wrong and inaccurate.

"The problem is they know there are no real checks on them, so they can kind of freelance. And unfortunately for me, these people have families, they have kids, they have mothers, grandmothers that read all this junk. But it makes them pretty popular. People like hearing about it. Unfortunately, it's kind of cold."

Showalter met with one of his players yesterday in his office.

"We were talking about it a little bit," he said. "I tell them, 'It's nice to be wanted, by us.' The last thing they want to hear... I certainly don't want to hear my manager or anybody in the organization talking about somebody else that they covet. But if someone else comes, somebody leaves. You better keep that in mind before somebody in our organization talks about it. I can tell you that."

The Orioles have decided to shut down after the minor league season rather than send him to the Arizona Fall League.

Harvey started his throwing program back in November and the team wants to give him a normal offseason.

Harvey threw 27 pitches today in a scoreless first inning in the Gulf Coast League. His fastball was clocked in the mid-90s.

"Felt great. His velocity was really good," Showalter said.

"I saw the schedule. It's got him mapped out all the way through August, which is good. He's going to pitch once a week with a work day in between and a couple of long toss.

"He'll end up with a full-season club. I know he's got a couple more outings in the Gulf Coast League and then he goes to Aberdeen and to Delmarva. That was real encouraging today. That was a big day in his baseball ladder climbing."

Showalter wants Harvey to have a regular spring training next year, with the former first-round pick winding up at Double-A Bowie.

"He's not going to be a candidate to make our club next year," Showalter said, "but I know he has the potential to make a lot of people ask that question. I'm hoping that happens. That means he's feeling good and on his way.

"He's got a lot of hurdles to cross."

The Orioles have to protect Harvey from the Rule 5 draft, so he'll be placed on the 40-man roster.

Mike Wright replaced Harvey and threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings, with one hit and four strikeouts.

Infielder Ryan Flaherty is expected to begin an injury rehab assignment next week. He's been throwing and hitting while recovering from a strained right shoulder.

"He's on schedule, going good," Showalter said. "Yesterday was his throw day, threw well. Today I think he's doing the strengthening exercises."

The Orioles are still deciding whether Miguel Castro will be a starter next season, his role at Bowie, or one of their bullpen pieces. He's been a reliever in the majors, but Showalter said Castro could start depending on how his changeup progresses.

"I think he really likes it here," Showalter said. "I think he likes what we've done, some of the stuff when we first got him down in Sarasota and were working through, with a real plan toward the end. I think he really appreciates that.

"We'll see where he fits, So far so good."

A return to a starting role would come in spring training.