Britton on Arrieta: "Maybe the change of scenery was what he needed"

Pitcher Steve Johnson is on the Orioles' taxi squad today and will have his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday.

With an off-day on Thursday, the Orioles could skip Miguel Gonzalez's next turn after he showed up today with soreness in "a couple of places," according to manager Buck Showalter.

The break in the schedule comes at a convenient time. The Orioles don't have many starter options, even with rosters expanding.

"We'll see how that shakes things out," Showalter said. "I know Richie (Bancells) is concerned about it a little bit. We'll see how that works out."

Showalter met in his office with executive vice president Dan Duquette before speaking to the media.

"Dan and I were talking about call-ups and some different stuff tomorrow," Showalter said.

The latest trade deadline arrives at midnight. Players acquired beyond it can't be included on a postseason roster.

"(Duquette) didn't mention anything to me today or hasn't about some impending transactions that affects one of our players being traded," Showalter said. "He doesn't have to. He normally does."

Showalter stated yesterday that he wasn't anticipating a deal and his opinion today remains the same.

"I haven't heard anything at all, and I haven't heard anything that would make me change my thought," he said.

Showalter didn't have much information on Dylan Bundy beyond how Dr. James Andrews cleared him to start a throwing program.

"I hadn't heard any particulars about what they found," Showalter said.

Tyler Wilson remains scheduled to throw a four-inning simulated game on Tuesday and Mike Wright will start that night for Norfolk while continuing his injury rehab assignment.

Showalter said he didn't watch former Oriole Jake Arrieta's no-hitter last night, but he heard the details.

"I don't think it surprises anybody the way Jake's been pitching. Special," Showalter said. "I'm proud of and happy for him. He's a good young man. He has really done well."

"I don't think it surprised anybody. He's come into his own. He's a good one. I'm happy for him individually. I'm glad he's over in the National League and we don't play the Cubs this year."

Orioles closer Zach Britton remains good friends with Arrieta and called him after the no-hitter over the Dodgers became official.

"I watched the ninth when he struck out the side to get it and that was pretty cool," Britton said. "I told him it was almost like he was walking toward the dugout like he was in his own little world there, which was crazy. He said it was awesome. I'm happy for him.

"You knew it could do it. And for him, maybe the change of scenery was what he needed. His stuff was always there. It was just a matter of somebody being able to let him relax a little bit and trust his stuff more than anything, and he's definitely done that the last two years in Chicago."

Arrieta was 20-25 with a 5.46 ERA in 69 career games with the Orioles, including 63 starts. Since being traded to the Cubs along with reliever Pedro Strop, he's gone 31-13 with a 2.48 ERA in 61 starts.

"I think us in here, you wish he had a chance to work with Dom (Chiti) and Dave (Wallace). Really do," Britton said.

"We think maybe those guys could have helped him a little bit. Just from our experience with them, they allow you to relax and trust your stuff, and I think that's what Jake needed. Unfortunately, they didn't get to work with these guys, but you're happy for him for what he's doing in Chicago."