Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton will be out at least six months after rupturing his right Achilles on Tuesday, reports Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
Britton suffered the injury during a sprinting workout in California. A clearer timeline for his recovery will be determined after the left-hander undergoes surgery.
The injury is a major blow to the Orioles, as they’ll begin the 2018 campaign without a closer who posted a 1.61 ERA and collected 135 saves over the past four seasons. As well, the 29-year-old Britton represented a valuable trade chip for Baltimore.
Britton will become a free agent at the end of the 2018 season. It’s possible he could reestablish some of his earning potential if he returns in the summer and pitches effectively, however, the injury could hinder the Orioles’ ability to deal him ahead of the July non-waiver trade deadline.
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