BALTIMORE -- Darren O'Day's simulated game at Camden Yards on Friday afternoon went well, and barring any setbacks, the Orioles will activate the right-hander on Sunday or Monday, manager Buck Showalter said.
The veteran reliever has been on the 15-day disabled list since Aug. 13 with a right rotator cuff strain. He threw about 25 pitches in the simulated game, facing Ryan Flaherty and Paul Janish. The 2015 All-Star has served as the Orioles' setup man since the end of the 2012 season, but Showalter ideally would like to ease him back into the bullpen given how long he's gone without pitching in a live game.
"If that presents itself, that'd be the perfect world," Showalter said. "The other team and the game doesn't always cooperate with you. … If we feel like he's our best option to win a game, to get an out, then we'll do that. But I hope it happens the other way."
In 30 games this season, O'Day is 3-1 with a 3.95 ERA. With O'Day out, Brad Brach has shined in the eighth-inning role, pitching to a 1.75 ERA and making his first All-Star Game.
"I think Darren will adapt to whatever role we need for him," Showalter said. "But I think he'll also present himself back in the capacity that he was before shortly."
While O'Day's outlook is optimistic, the news wasn't so good for Joey Rickard, who's sidelined with a right thumb ligament injury. The outfielder faced live pitching for the first time on Friday in Sarasota, Fla., but Showalter said it didn't go well.
"We'll see how he feels later on," Showalter said. "I think he took one or two swings and went in. We were kind of waiting on him. We thought he might be able to be with us Monday, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen."
Showalter said with Rickard's setback and Steve Pearce sidelined with right forearm/elbow discomfort, the club may need to add an extra outfielder from the Minors. Christian Walker, Dariel Álvarez, Julio Borbon and Chris Dickerson are all options.
Worth noting
• Mark Trumbo, who leads the Majors with 42 home runs, was out of the starting lineup Friday with back spasms. Showalter said Trumbo gets the spasms a couple of times a season, and the O's are hopeful he will be back in the lineup Saturday.
• Showalter said Wade Miley will start Sunday's series finale with the Rays. The lefty has struggled mightily since he was acquired from Seattle, going 1-5 with an 8.41 ERA in eight starts.