BALTIMORE -- Darren O'Day could return as early as Friday, with the right-hander scheduled to throw a simulated game on Wednesday as his final test.
O'Day, who has been sidelined with a right shoulder injury, has been throwing bullpen sessions. Assuming Wednesday goes OK, he'll be back in the bullpen for Friday's opener at Tampa Bay.
O'Day's return will, in theory, help stabilize an overworked Orioles 'pen. The O's are also hoping to have closer Zach Britton back in the near future. Britton had his rehab start on Monday at Class A Short-Season Aberdeen pushed back to Tuesday due to weather, but the rest of his schedule -- which includes outings at Class A Delmarva and Double-A Bowie -- remains the same.