Zach Britton on returning to the active roster today

Orioles closer Zach Britton may get in a game tonight and pitch for the team for the first time since Sept. 18, 2017, when he threw a scoreless inning versus Boston. His return from his right Achilles surgery in December has led him finally and officially back to the Orioles active roster today.

"Been a long road," he said this afternoon in the Orioles clubhouse. "Since before Christmas I've been looking forward to this day. So, excited to get that first one under my belt and get on a good routine and go from there."

Britton is very aware that scouts were watching him pitch in minor league rehab games and that will just pick up now even more as he is back in the majors. The trade talks could heat up and he knows when he pitches now he could be both trying to help the Orioles and, in a way, auditioning for a future team.

"I guess so, but I'm not going to think of it like that," Britton said. "I'm just excited to be back pitching. When I injured myself in December, I was just looking forward to walking again and running again. To be able to pitch again in the big leagues - there were a lot of hurdles to overcome. (Brian) Ebel (Orioles head athletic trainer), a lot of credit goes to him. The stuff that he did coming out to (Britton's home in) California. I think he's more excited for me to pitch than I am. He should be. It's not an easy injury to rehab and he did a great job.

"I was here throughout this whole season pretty much with the team and it's the same mindset. When I get out there my job is to help my team win, regardless of where we are in the standings every day. Now every time I get the ball it's to pitch well, regardless of the standings or trade discussions."

Britton admits there may be some nerves when he takes the mound for the first time.

"I think so. I expect it," he said. "You know when you come from spring training and the season starts, you are anxious for that first outing anyway. It's been, what, eight or nine months since I've pitched in a big league game. There's going to be some anxiety. Got a lot of that out of the way in the rehab games, but there's nothing like stepping on a big league mound."

Britton's injury occurred during a sprinting drill before Christmas and he had surgery the next day.

"When I talked to the doctor (Kenneth Jung) and he told me I ruptured my Achilles, a lot of thoughts went through my head," Britton described. "He told me he was good at what he did and he'd get me back as quickly as possible. But I don't think anyone would have anticipated before six months, and it's six months on Thursday that I had surgery.

"That's a fast comeback. Talked to the doctor today and he was excited and a little blown away with the progress we've made. Brian Ebel took time out of his holidays to come out there and see me. We got back pretty quick."

Britton's first rehab game was May 30 with Single-A Frederick. He pitched once for the Keys, once for Double-A Bowie and three times for Triple-A Norfolk. Over five games he threw 5 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and one run with no walks and six strikeouts. He pitched in back-to-back games for the Tides last Thursday and Friday as a final best before rejoining the Orioles.

"I got a lot of ground balls (in the rehab games)," he daid. "Even the hits I gave up were ground balls. I think I gave up one line drive the entire time so those were the things I was looking for. I just want to get back to the level of the performance that I want to be at. Had some injuries the last few years, so looking forward to turning the page on that and getting back to pitching well."

As he rejoins the team he now returns to a club with a pair of rookie catchers in Chance Sisco and Austin Wynns.

"I think it is kind of where we are headed", Britton added. "Get some younger guys up here to play and see what they can do. I've thrown to Sisco, thrown to Wynns. They are two good young catchera and I think that is the direction the team is heading. To see what we've got in young players and rightfully so."