Zach Britton says he "felt good" during today's throwing sessions

BOSTON - Zach Britton played catch, did some long-tossing and headed to the bullpen mound this afternoon before the Orioles took the field for batting practice.

The bullpen session wasn't expected, but it provided further evidence that Britton is feeling much better.

Britton hasn't appeared in a game since Sunday due to a sore left lat muscle. Darren O'Day recorded saves in all three games of the sweep in D.C.

Manager Buck Showalter stood near Britton as the left-hander played catch. Pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti accompanied Britton to the bullpen.

"Felt good," Britton said. "We kind of took it step by step. I wanted to play catch and see how it felt. Went to long-toss and felt good. Then I threw a flat ground and felt great. I got on a mound and threw about 10-15. I tried to let some go and simulate a game or a situation, but it's obviously impossible to do that. But it felt great.

"The plan now I guess is, it's really up to Dave, Dom and Buck what they want to do. But it felt good, so kind of going from there. See where we are for tonight or tomorrow.

"I don't know if we expected to actually throw in the bullpen today, so that was really good. Maybe that gets me back soon."

As soon as tonight's series opener against the Red Sox?

"Maybe," he said. "Like I said, it's up to Buck. We're going to sit down and talk. I haven't really got a chance to talk to him. I think tomorrow is probably more realistic, but it felt good enough where tonight could be an option if there's a need.

"I think we jumped over any hurdle we needed to to kind of see if I was game ready and I feel like I'm right there right now."

O'Day may not be available tonight, which gives Britton a greater sense of urgency to return.

"Yeah, me and Darren talked," he said. "I was like, 'I kind of picked a tough time for you.' Three days in a row, it would definitely be nice to get back out there so we can kind of save the guys in the 'pen."

O'Day is a pending free agent who may have Britton to thank for receiving closer's money on his new contract.

"We've discussed something along a little payment scale, but I don't know," Britton quipped. "He's been throwing so well this year, even better than last year and last year was a pretty impressive year. I'm happy for him and I hope we can keep him.

"Darren and Brad (Brach) have been throwing well all year. You put them in the eighth, ninth inning, seventh inning, whatever, they're going to do the same job they've been doing all year. Darren, he could be closing for a lot of teams and I think everyone's seeing that now. But it didn't surprise me at all that he went out there and shut that lineup down. It's nice when you have that option to let me take a break when I need it and I appreciate those guys picking me up."

The layoff normally could have an adverse affect on Britton, whose sinker stays up in the zone if he's too rested.

"Three days off felt like a week," he said. "I can't remember the last time I had three days off, but once you get off the mound, it's kind of like riding a bike. Once you get a feel for the first few. I was getting antsy sitting there in the bullpen charting (pitches) the last couple games, so I'm excited to get back."

The Red Sox are starting Craig Breslow on Saturday as part of their bullpen game. He may be able to give them around 40 pitches.

The Orioles are seeing three left-handed starters in this series, including Rich Hill tonight and Henry Owens on Sunday.

The Orioles still are listing Sunday's starter as TBD.

Manny Machado politely declined to talk about Jonathan Papelbon's suspension when reporters placed an interview request through public relations. He wants to move on from the incident.