Britton activated; Tillman welcomes first child
O's southpaw works scoreless 7th in Wednesday's finale vs. the Brewers
MILWAUKEE -- Pain-free and back with the big league club, Orioles closer Zach Britton will have a chance to continue his march toward Eric Gagne's Major League record.
Britton, who has a streak of 54 consecutive converted save opportunities going, was activated off the 60-day disabled list Wednesday before the Orioles' 4-0 loss to the Brewers at Miller Park.
Britton made his return to action Wednesday with a scoreless seventh inning against the Brewers, walking one and allowing a hit.
• Britton works through jitters in return to mound
The southpaw missed the previous 56 games with a left forearm strain after posting a 1.00 ERA with five saves over eight appearances to start the season. The five saves added on to Britton's streak after converting all 47 of his save opportunities in 2016. He still has a ways to go until he reaches Gagne's Major League record of 83 consecutive saves.
In order to create a spot for Britton on the 40-man roster, the Orioles transferred infielder Ryan Flaherty to the 60-day DL. They also placed right-hander Chris Tillman on the paternity list and recalled Wednesday's starter, Jayson Aquino, from Triple-A Norfolk. Baltimore optioned Tyler Wilson, who appeared in Tuesday's loss, to Norfolk.
Tillman welcomes child
Tillman and his wife welcomed their first child, Charlotte, on Tuesday evening, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said.
The veteran right-hander, who was originally scheduled to start Wednesday in Milwaukee, worked out at Camden Yards instead. Showalter anticipates that Tillman will join Double-A Bowie Thursday for a throwing session and that he will be available to pitch during the team's weekend series in Minnesota.
While Tillman could wait until after the All-Star break to make his next start, Showalter said he wants the right-hander, who has a 7.90 ERA in 11 starts this season, to try to gain some momentum before ending the first half.
Worth noting
• Orioles right fielder Mark Trumbo is in the lineup batting fifth and playing right field after sustaining a left calf contusion fouling a ball off his left calf in Tuesday's loss to Milwaukee. Trumbo was removed from the game, but X-rays were negative.
"He's a lot better today," Showalter said. "We were a little concerned that it might hold him out today, but we kept it from really knotting up. He got a really good lick there."
• Orioles first baseman Chris Davis is progressing and could begin a Minor League rehab assignment over the All-Star break, Showalter said. Davis was placed on the DL on June 14 with a right oblique strain.
"He's really making progress," Showalter said. "I feel really good about his chances to join us soon. I'm trying not to jinx us, but he's going to be playing baseball during the All-Star break. He wants to do it tomorrow."
• The Orioles acquired 21-year-old shortstop Milton Ramos from the Mets on Wednesday for international bonus slots. Ramos, who was the Mets' No. 20 prospect according to MLBPipeline.com, was assigned to Class A Delmarva.