Baltimore Orioles: Zach Britton Throws off Mound for First Time

Left-handed pitcher Zach Britton threw off the mound for the first time while rehabbing his left shoulder today but is still unsure when he will be back in the Major Leagues.

Britton was supposed to be a front of the rotation starter for Baltimore this season after winning 11 games for the O's last season but inflammation in his left shoulder forced him to start the season on the DL.

To avoid surgery Britton recieved two platelet-rich plasma injections in late March and once the pain was gone he began taking steps to rehab his left shoulder.

Today was the first time Britton threw off a mound but it wasn't a traditional bullpen setting because the catcher was receiving the ball from in front of the plate.

"[It was] just an exercise to get my arm used to that angle again. My arm feels strong and healthy," said Britton.

This is good news for the Orioles who are in need of a pitcher like Britton in the rotation. Even though pitchers Jake Arrieta, Wei Yin Chen and Jason Hammel have been good, Brian Matusz continues to struggle and an injury to any of Baltimore's arms would cripple the team at this time with another potential starter Tsuyoshi Wada on the DL and currently shutdown.

Unfortunately for Baltimore, Britton is unaware when he will actually be ready to take the mound in a game at this point. 

"I will have a better idea after this week," Britton said.

The sooner Britton can join the Orioles the better for the team trying to reverse their fortunes in the A.L. East.