Baltimore Orioles Closer Zach Britton Progresses Toward Return
Baltimore Orioles All-Star reliver Zach Britton reportedly has a set date in May for his first rehab assignment.
According to MASNsports.com’s Steve Melewski, Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton will head to Triple-A Norfolk on May 30 to make his first rehab assignment start after undergoing surgery to repair his ruptured Achilles.
The Orioles are expected to take much caution with Britton and a return to the majors may be in store by the middle of June and well before the MLB All-Star break.
If Britton were to return in June, it would allow the lefty closer to building his way back to form and bounce back from a mediocre 2017 season. In addition, it’d give the Orioles the chance to showcase Britton for potential trade partners before the July 31 MLB trade deadline.
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In 2017, Britton finished the season with 15 saves, two blown saves and a 2.89 ERA after missing most of May and all of June.
The southpaw struggled upon his return in July as he finished the month with an elevated 4.91 ERA, mostly in non-save appearances.
However, Britton bounced back the following month in Aug. as he returned to the Orioles closer role. In 10 appearances, Britton tallied five saves, one blown save and lowered his season ERA to 3.29.
Britton seemed to finally return to his old self with a stellar Sept. after finishing out the month with a 1.80 ERA in eight appearances and 10 innings pitched.
The Baltimore Orioles current closer Brad Brach has seven saves on the year and after a rough start to May, the right-handed pitcher hasn’t allowed an earned run in seven consecutive appearances.
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Britton’s name has been named for the past couple of season in Orioles trade rumors as the team looks to get some type of return in the 2016 American League Reliever of the Year before it’s too late.