Hammel making strides in rehab from arm injury

BALTIMORE -- Orioles starter Jason Hammel (right forearm tightness) will throw off flat ground again on Monday and Wednesday with the hope being that he can progress to the mound on Friday.

"He told me, I think he was semi-kidding, he said, 'I could go for you Sunday,'" manager Buck Showalter said of Hammel, who has been on the disabled list since July 31. "I think that was when we thought we might have a problem with Frankie [Rodriguez]. I think he feels pretty good today."

Rodriguez, who exited Friday's game with a right groin strain, is available in the bullpen and told Showalter he could have pitched two innings Saturday if needed.

Things are obviously different with Hammel, who will need a couple rehab outings before he becomes an option for Baltimore. Hammel, whose DL stint is retroactive to July 29, is 7-8 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 starts.