Orioles closer Zach Britton took fielding practice Thursday for the first time since he sprained his left ankle Saturday, clearing one of the major hurdles in what the team hopes will be a quick return to mound.
“Zach had a good day today,” manager Buck Showalter said. “He threw, had a good day today. He’s close. … Very close. He’s close to being available.”
On Wednesday, Britton threw five pitches from halfway up the mound and five from the full mound, all testing the ankle he sprained trying to scoop and flip a bunt down the first base line Saturday against the Chicago White Sox.