Brach relieved to be in bullpen tonight

Brad Brach showed up at Camden Yards today, lifted weights, did some running and tried to avoid making eye contact. Brach knew he was a logical candidate to be optioned to Triple-A Norfolk after throwing 47 pitches over four innings last night in Pittsburgh, but the Orioles placed Tommy Hunter on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left groin and recalled reliever Preston Guilmet. Brach was safe at home. "As soon as I got done, that was one of my first thoughts, but when you have options that's kind of how the game works," he said. "I understand they need fresh arms and everything like that. It was one of those things that definitely crossed my mind, but I was hoping it wasn't going to happen. "I just came in today and went in and lifted and ran and all that stuff. Nobody pulled me into the office, so that's always a good thing. Whenever the coaches aren't looking for you, that's always a good thing. Tried to avoid them pretty much." Brach hadn't thrown more than two innings in a major league game, or more than three professionally, until replacing starter Chris Tillman last night with no outs in the second. "I feel good, a lot better than I was kind of expecting," he said. "I threw three last week (at Norfok) for the first time in pro ball and I was a little sore, but today I feel better than I did that time. Maybe I'm just getting used to it a little bit. I'm not really sure. But I feel as close to normal actually that I possibly could. "I think anytime you can show versatility that's a good thing. I'm here to do whatever role they ask. If throwing more innings is what they need me to do, I can do that, and I can also throw one inning or just a couple outs. So it's good to show versatility for sure." Though Brach threw 47 pitches last night, at least they were spread over four innings. He threw 34 in 1 1/3 innings in his Orioles debut on May 3 in Minnesota. "I actually was feeling really good last night," he said. "I thought I could have went back out there. Obviously, my position was coming up (in the lineup), but I felt good. I don't know how long I could have gone. Maybe fatigue would have set in in the fifth or the sixth, but my adrenaline was still pumping there." Brach still hasn't pitched at Camden Yards in his four appearances this season. He's thrown twice in Minnesota and once each in Kansas City and Pittsburgh. The Orioles optioned Brach on May 6 and recalled T.J. McFarland. They recalled Brach on May 16 and designated Evan Meek off the 25-man roster. Today brought the same unsettled feelings that surface for a reliever with minor league options. "It is tough," he said." The last time in Tampa, you know a move's coming and I heard T.J. was on his way. It's just one of those things where you think if a coach looks at you, he's going to call you in the office. It's definitely tough on your psyche because you want to be here. Everybody wants to be here. You just understand that sometimes they have to make moves for fresh arms. "You kind of understand, but at the same time it is difficult. You know a move's coming and you're not sure who it is." Manager Buck Showalter suggested that Brach could be available to pitch again Friday night. He certainly wants Indians manager Terry Francona to think the right-hander is available. "After today, I'll probably feel good," Brach said. "I'm really surprised at how well it feels today, but I'd say probably two days and I'll be back to 100 percent."