Updates on Rickard and Britton

CINCINNATI - Outfielder Joey Rickard said he won't be ready to come off the disabled list when eligible on Wednesday due to some remaining stiffness in his left middle finger.

Rickard said he's getting closer and remains hopeful that he won't need an injury rehabilitation assignment.

Closer Zach Britton offered an encouraging update today on his left forearm. He went on the disabled list Sunday with a strain.

"Good," he said. "Came in yesterday during the off-day and did some treatments. I'm actually feeling a lot better today. Kind of just stick with it and see how it goes. Obviously, got a few more days until that DL period is over, so kind of use it to our advantage, but so far so good."

Britton doesn't know when he'll be cleared to pick up a ball.

"I don't think we're at that stage right now," he said. "Whatever we're doing in the training room, we're making good progress. I feel pretty good. If anything, I feel maybe a little more relieved that it's nothing serious just based on how it's felt with the off day and then coming in today. So hopefully we continue to make progress tomorrow and the next day, and then we'll probably talk about when we want to play catch and what-not."

Britton understood the panicked reaction of fans after the injury was revealed. He could relate.

"There was panic with me, too," he said, smiling. "I've never had anything remotely near the elbow. Anytime you hear 'elbow,' obviously you think 'elbow,' but once I got to talk to Richie (Bancells) and Dr. (Michael) Jacobs and everybody, we wrapped our heads around it and were like, 'Hey, there's a big difference in things that happen in the arm.' Not everything is elbow-related. Things can be forearm and just be forearm, and that gave me a little bit of room.

"I let some breath out and was like, 'OK, well, hopefully it's just a little strain and what they're saying and get back at it, and not to worry about the elbow. They've done a lot of tests on the elbow and it looks good. Come in tomorrow, and continue what we're doing, but I feel pretty good right now."

Britton isn't sure if he will need a minor league rehab assignment.

"I think it depends how long I'm out," he said. "Obviously, the DL is 10 days. It's kind of a floating time frame, I think. It depends on how long I go past there. Right now, my arm feels good shoulder-wise. You don't know. I'm assuming that would be an option that we would discuss. You don't want to get into a big league game, and all of a sudden you have issues. It's better off sometimes if you try it in a minor league game and make sure you feel good and then get back with the team."

Britton maintains faith in the bullpen in his absence.

"I have confidence in those guys there," he said. "When Darren (O'Day) went through some issues last year, we were able to pick him up and I know the guys will do that for me. I think right now earlier in the year, guys are more fresh. We have some more optionable pieces in the bullpen, too, which I know helps Buck (Showalter) and the pitching make some decisions, but so far so good with those guys.

"I think Brad (Brach) and Darren are going to pick is up. Mychal (Givens), too. We're real confident in Donnie Hart, so I don't think we'll miss a beat at all."