Orioles closer Zach Britton back on disabled list with forearm strain

BALTIMORE – Orioles closer Zach Britton is back on the disabled list with a left forearm strain – the same injury that recently sidelined him for two weeks.

Britton came off the 10-day disabled list Tuesday and appeared in two games before feeling discomfort in his pitching arm. He had an MRI on Friday and was placed on the 10-day DL on Saturday.

“The MRI was about the same as the last time. Maybe a little bit more inflammation,” Britton said. “The elbow looks good, so this is just a muscle issue.”

The left-hander acknowledged that he probably came back too soon.

“The doctors and the trainers wanted me to be a little more cautious with it at the time, maybe take another week,” Britton said. “I was kind of over sitting on the bench watching games and felt I was in a good enough position to come back. Obviously, I wasn’t.”

Britton helped Baltimore reach the playoffs last season by converting all 47 of his save chances and compiling a 0.54 ERA. This year, he’s 5 for 5 in save opportunities with a 1.00 ERA.

He intends to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache, an orthopedist based in Los Angeles, on Monday.

“I didn’t think I was going to have a setback like this,” Britton said. “Thankfully, it’s the same issue. It’s going to heal; it’s just a matter of time. I guess if there’s any positive, that’s it.

“I want to get that issue fixed so I can get back and do what I do well. There’s really no other reason for me to be out there. So right now I think the best move is to go see ElAttrache and kind of figure out what’s going on.”

Brad Brach will serve as the closer in Britton’s absence. He’s converted 6 of 7 save opportunities this season.

Also on Saturday, the Orioles placed right-hander Gabriel Ynoa on the 10-day disabled list with a strained hamstring and recalled right-handed pitchers Alec Asher and Logan Verrett from the minors.