Hammel to be activated Thursday

CLEVELAND -- Orioles pitcher Jason Hammel will be activated from the disabled list when the team returns to Baltimore on Thursday, although he probably won't be available to pitch until at least Friday, according to manager Buck Showalter.

Showalter, whose club was set to wrap a three-city, nine-game road trip in Cleveland on Wednesday night, could use Hammel as a starter or reliever depending on the team's needs. The right-hander made his second rehab start for Double-A Bowie on Tuesday, allowing one run over four innings, and told reporters afterward he was good to go.

"I'm just happy to be healthy and feeling good and I know I can help the team," said Hammel, who 57 pitches, 36 for strikes. He also pitched 2 2/3 innings last Thursday.

Given expanded rosters in September, the team can add Hammel whenever they want and he's expected to be there for Thursday's series opener against the White Sox. Hammel has been sidelined since late July with right flexor mass tightness, an injury that has bothered him since the spring.