O's optimistic Smith won't start season on DL

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Outfielder Seth Smith and infielder Ryan Flaherty continue to be missing from the Orioles' lineup.
Smith, who has a strained right hamstring, hasn't played since March 8, and Flaherty, who is out with a sore right shoulder, last appeared on March 13.
Manager Buck Showalter said that Smith is participating in baseball activities and is close to returning. Even though it will be at least two weeks between games for Smith, Showalter doesn't think he's in danger of opening the season on the disabled list. Smith can always play in additional Minor League games for extra at-bats.
"He's a veteran guy, kind of knows the drill," Showalter said. "He's a little behind, that's obvious. We think he can catch up."
Flaherty has improved, Showalter said, and should play on Friday.
Other injury updates
• Outfielder Chris Dickerson will miss a few days with a sore left shoulder.
• Showalter reported that left-hander Wade Miley, who was scratched from Monday's game with flu-like symptoms, is feeling better.
• Zach Britton struck out the side in a Minor League game on Monday, and the closer said that he will pitch on Wednesday against Tampa Bay. Britton will then take a few days off before pitching on consecutive days. He could appear on March 31 when the Orioles travel to Norfolk, Va., to face their Triple-A team.
• Outfielder Michael Bourn, who has yet to play this spring because of a broken right ring finger, will have it re-examined on Friday.
Roster moves
The Orioles reassigned catchers Francisco Peña and Audry Perez to Minor League camp following Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Blue Jays at Ed Smith Stadium.
The two were reassigned because the Orioles expect Welington Castillo back from the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday.
Pena went 1-for-12 (.083) with two RBIs, while Perez had gone 1-for-11 (.091).
The cuts leave 44 players in Major League camp, including 10 non-roster invitees.
Classic returns
• Castillo, Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop are expected back from the Classic on Wednesday, but they aren't expected to play that day, Showalter said. Castillo and Machado competed for the Dominican Republic, and Schoop for the Netherlands.