Wojciechowski and Melville reassigned, another Britton update

DUNEDIN, Fla. - The Orioles have reduced their camp roster to 49 players this morning by reassigning right-handers Tim Melville and Asher Wojciechowski to the minor league complex.

Melville allowed two runs and four hits yesterday in 1 1/3 innings after two scoreless appearances covering four frames. Wojciechowski also pitched yesterday against the Blue Jays and surrendered two runs and four hits in two innings. He allowed four runs and 12 hits over 6 2/3 innings in his three outings.

Neither pitcher was expected to head north with the club. Today's moves were anticipated.

Zach Britton offered up a progress update on his right Achilles, saying that he's been running on the underwater treadmill for the past week and "progressively getting a little faster on that."

"I throw again today," he said. "I feel really good. I have less than a week now until the 12 weeks (since surgery) and then we're really cleared to start doing more stuff. But up until next Thursday, we're just trying to stay with what we've been doing that's been working."

The protective boot won't be worn during his throwing sessions beginning next Thursday.

"I can throw out of the boot right now," Britton said. "It's just that the doctor was like, 'You're making good progress. No reason to slip right now,' so next Thursday will be the first time out of the boot."

Britton is ahead of schedule, but what exactly does it mean for him?

"The ahead of schedule stuff is good right now, but there's still guidelines up to the 12 weeks, so you can't really do too much more than what I'm doing," he said. "I would think that when I start throwing out of the boot and if I feel good out of that, and long toss, then it starts meaning more. Maybe I'll get on a mound a little sooner. But a few more weeks from now, I think that will start meaning a little bit more than it does right now."

While on the 60-day disabled list, Britton is unable to return to the active roster until May 28. Being ahead of schedule still brings its limitations.

"I can't come back any sooner, so hopefully that's when I'm ready to go," he said. "Hopefully, I'm ready to go sooner than that and I can just get some more innings in in a rehab game, somewhere whether it's a simulated game against our bench guys or a minor league affiliate. But yeah, there's really no reason at this point right now to try to get ahead of ourselves.

"Come May, we can start pushing the envelope a little bit if everything's going well."

Britton's arm won't slow him down. He can get it in proper shape while rehabbing the Achilles.

"My arm feels great right now," he said. "I haven't been able to throw long toss, but that's not going to be an issue a few weeks from now. It's just all going to be about sprinting outside, getting off the mound, fielding my position. Those are the big hurdles. The arm won't be an issue at all."

For the Blue Jays
Curtis Granderson LF
Devon Travis 2B
Josh Donaldson 3B
Justin Smoak 1B
Russell Martin C
Kendrys Morales DH
Randal Grichuk RF
Kevin Pillar CF
Aledmys Díaz SS

Marco Estrada RHP