Brach on Britton: "I just feel heartbroken for him"

Life can throw you the sharpest of curveballs, the kind that dive in the dirt and freeze hitters, and relievers who make a living at it aren't immune.

Brad Brach's heart is full with the arrival of his first child, a daughter, earlier this week. It also aches for teammate and friend Zach Britton, who underwent surgery yesterday to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Britton could be back anywhere from May to July, depending on the level of optimism. Yesterday's procedure went extremely well and raised hopes that his recovery could be completed in five months, but there's no way to know at this juncture.

There's always the chance that he remains sidelined through the first half of the season, removing one of the game's elite closers from the Orioles bullpen and the table during trade discussions.

Such a cruel twist - and tear - for a guy who was twice forced onto the disabled list over the summer with a strained left forearm and needed a stem-cell injection in his left knee in September to alleviate discomfort that's been with him for the past few seasons.

To be full-go in workouts one minute and writhing in pain the next, an MRI on Tuesday confirming the Achilles injury, is hard for everyone to accept.

"Yeah, I just feel heartbroken for him," Brach wrote in a text message. "I know how much he was disappointed after not being able to stay healthy last year and how he was going to start throwing a little bit earlier and everything this season.

"Just horrible to hear about a teammate suffering an injury like that, especially someone who you've spent so much time with the last four seasons. Just really hope the recovery goes well and we get him back as soon as possible, because he makes us a better team and bullpen."

Brach could go from setup and part-time closing duties to a full-time position as Britton's replacement. Executive vice president Dan Duquette immediately brought up his name on Wednesday while discussing how the Orioles would react to Britton's surgery.

The idea of the Orioles giving in to the interest from other teams that built at the Winter Meetings can't completely be dismissed. Brach was a hot name in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. But the Orioles didn't want to part with him if Britton also was traded and it seems unlikely that they'd deal him now during the left-hander's rehabilitation.

Brach would go into camp as the favorite to close, with Darren O'Day and Mychal Givens also in the mix depending on availability.

"I don't know exactly how it's going to affect me or my role, but if they ask me to close out ballgames this season, I think I'm much better prepared after getting the opportunity last season," said Brach, who went 18-for-24 in save chances.

"I'm going to take the experiences I had and hopefully do the best I can to replace the best closer in baseball if that's what they ask of me this coming season."

Brilee Kay Brach was born Monday at 4:05 p.m. She weighed 8 lbs, 8 oz and was 22 inches long. Brad, Jenae and baby are doing fine.

Dad is just unsure about the professional side of his life. And how to make sense of Britton's latest setback.

As for the latest on Manny Machado, Duquette is prepared to tackle future roster moves with the assumption that the three-time All-Star is on the roster, as he told me on Wednesday. However, trade talks shouldn't be described as "dead," according to a source.

The Cardinals have pulled back, per the source, but a few other clubs continue to "poke around." The Diamondbacks are one of them. And the Orioles will listen if someone steps up with an offer that doesn't withhold the necessary pitching.

In the meantime, Duquette must figure out whether he needs a third baseman, in case Machado moves to shortstop. I've heard that the merits of Mike Moustakas - a title just waiting to be unleashed - have been debated inside the warehouse.

There's nothing hot regarding Moustakas, but I'd say be brings some intrigue.

The Orioles are prepared to keep Machado. They're just not deadbolting the door.