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Baltimore Orioles: Should there be concern over early injuries?

By Nate Wardle

Mar 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 16, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher
Sep 16, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher /

Zach Britton, RP

The renowned Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton is being kept out as a precaution, as he has had some side soreness and the team wants to avoid a dreaded oblique injury.

While most would argue an oblique injury would be catastrophic to the Orioles, I disagree. It is early, so if that was the case, Britton might miss, at most, all of April, since these things tend to linger.

The Orioles have a bullpen that they can mix and match and withstand losing their closer for a few weeks, and it would allow Buck Showalter to use him more down the stretch.

Related Story: 3 available starting pitchers the Orioles should consider

However, the word is out of camp that if this were the regular season, Britton would be giving it a go. So, it sounds like precaution is the key word here.

I’m not worried, but it is never good to hear the ‘o’ word with one of your superstars so that ramps up things a tad.

Worry level – 2/10

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