Gonzalez progressing, throws off flat ground

BALTIMORE -- Miguel Gonzalez threw off flat ground on Monday for the first time since appearing in a game on Aug. 30, and manager Buck Showalter said there weren't any issues.

"[He] actually got more aggressive toward the end and didn't feel anything, so that's good news today," Showalter said of Gonzalez, who is dealing with inflammation in his right shoulder and elbow and was placed on the disabled list earlier this month.

There's nothing official on the next step for Gonzalez, but he will likely go off flat ground at least one more time.

"That was the first time in a long time [that he's done that]," Showalter said. "Shoulder's felt good since two or three days after. But it's good news to hear about the elbow."

The Orioles are hoping Gonzalez can get into a game before the season ends, and Showalter wasn't sure if that would require sending the right-hander to instructional league or setting up some kind of simulated game first.

As for the possibility of Gonzalez appearing in relief, Showalter said, "I'm not going to say we wouldn't, but it would be nice to have him start. I'd like for him to get a start or two under his belt. Like to see him hopefully be one of our starters in the playoffs."