Notes on Aquino, Britton, Smith, Rickard and more

CINCINNATI - Jayson Aquino is back in the majors today and in an Orioles bullpen that needed a long reliever following last night's lopsided defeat.

Aquino replaces Tyler Wilson, who was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk as the corresponding move. The Orioles already have left-hander Vidal Nuño, but he's unavailable after working 2 1/3 innings last night. And manager Buck Showalter prefers having a southpaw backing up starter Ubaldo Jiménez.

"I really didn't feel as surprised," Aquino said through interpreter Ramon Alarcon. "I was confident that at some point this call was going to happen, so just happy for the opportunity."

His mood wasn't quite as upbeat after the Orioles included him among their late camp cuts. Aquino allowed only two runs in 15 innings in six appearances, with two walks and 14 strikeouts, and opponents batted .185 against him. He also was bypassed when they needed a fifth starter, instead choosing right-hander Alec Asher to face the Blue Jays on Saturday.

"I felt a little bit down about not making the team right out of spring training, but at the same time, just trying to work," Aquino said. "It's really up to them, whatever decision they want to make. It's really up to me to try to put my best work out there."

Aquino was pretty good last summer in his first three major league games, all in relief. He tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings with one hit, no walks and three strikeouts.

The Orioles now view Aquino mainly as a starter, though he's at least temporarily filling a need in their bullpen. He's allowed four earned runs (five total) and 11 hits in nine innings in his first two outings with Norfolk, with two walks and 11 strikeouts, but he tossed six scoreless frames Friday in his most recent start.

"I was just concentrating on trying to throw the ball down in the zone, just confident in myself and my abilities," said Aquino, who was scratched from Thursday's scheduled start with the Tides. "I watched a couple of videos of my first start and tried to make the adjustments as soon as I watched those videos.

"I feel good, healthy which is the most important thing for me right now, and just ready to put in a good day of work out there."

Asher also is available out of the bullpen tonight and Showalter said both pitchers are candidates to start Saturday against the Red Sox at Camden Yards, depending on whether they're needed in relief.

Zach Britton will undergo an MRI on Friday in Baltimore, but he hasn't experienced a setback in his recovery from a strained left forearm. The MRI was planned after the team returned home. Showalter said his closer is improving every day.

Outfielder Seth Smith is day-to-day after leaving last night's game in the sixth inning with a strained right hamstring. Showalter has a few more days until he needs to decide whether Smith goes on the disabled list.

Outfielder Joey Rickard hit off a tee and threw today for the first time since going on the disabled list with a sprained left middle finger. Rickard is at least five days away from returning, however, and will need to go on a short injury rehab assignment.

Hunter Harvey, recovering from ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow, threw off a flat mound today.