Machado improved, Britton progressing and Castillo playing

NEW YORK - Orioles manager Buck Showalter thinks that third baseman Manny Machado may be able to remain on the active roster. The outlook took a dramatic shift upward today.

Machado is out of the lineup for the third consecutive night, but his left wrist and hand apparently are feeling much better.

"Manny's good. He improved again," Showalter said this afternoon while talking to the media in the visiting dugout at Yankee Stadium.

"It looks like he's got a chance to miss the DL. It's just a matter of when. See if he might be available tonight. Who knows? But it's encouraging that there's been improvement. We'll see."

The Orioles want to make certain that Machado doesn't experience a setback and they lose the backdated time on the 10-day disabled list. If he's in the lineup, he needs to stay there.

"You're so careful about not starting that process too early and getting set back, so you've got to feel comfortable that he can do things that he wasn't able to do yesterday or the day before," Showalter said. "When Richie (Bancells) and Manny think that the next step needs to be taken, we'll take it. I leave it in their hands.

"He wants to play yesterday and he wants to play every day. He had a pretty traumatic event. Is that what they call it? I think right now we're fortunate that it is what it is, considering what it could have been."

Closer Zach Britton is nearing a session against live hitters while continuing his throwing progression in Sarasota. He threw 25 pitches today in the bullpen and will increase the total next week.

"That went well," Showalter said. "Roger (McDowell) was talking to Scott McGregor down there and he said it went well. The ball's coming out good, spun some breaking balls. He's got a 35-pitch one coming up on Monday, I believe, and then Thursday he's going to throw BP to hitters. After that we can start moving."

Britton figures to return to the Orioles before the All-Star break, but the targeted date remains a secret.

Welington Castillo is off the disabled list and in tonight's lineup after playing seven innings in Trenton with Double-A Bowie. Showalter got a full report from Baysox manager Gary Kendall.

"Things went well with Castillo," Showalter said. "I talked to Gary after the game. And then, obviously, talked to Casi again today."

The Orioles designated Francisco Peña for assignment today to create a spot for Castillo.

"I hope that finishes up the same way it did last time, but for his sake part of you hopes he gets a major league ticket," Showalter said. "But he's in a good situation. He's either going to the major leagues or going to a team that will bring him back to the major leagues.

"He's good people. Hopefully, sometime next week he's playing for Norfolk. We'll see if we get fortunate again."