TORONTO (AP) -- Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left forearm.
Britton says he felt pain while throwing a curveball in the ninth inning of Friday's win over the Blue Jays. Britton earned the save in that game, his fifth this season, and matched Tom Gordon by converting his 54th consecutive opportunity, the second-longest streak ever. The record belongs to Eric Gagne (84).
Baltimore manager Buck Showalter says he isn't certain Britton will be ready to return as soon as he's eligible on April 26.
The Orioles recalled right-hander Stefan Crichton from Triple-A Norfolk. Crichton had been optioned to Norfolk on Saturday to make room for right-hander Alec Asher but is allowed to return to replace an injured player.
Major League Baseball today awarded Baltimore Orioles LHP Zach Britton with the Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year award for the 2016 MLB season.
Britton recorded 47 consecutive saves this season, going 47-for-47. According to STATS, LLC., Britton has the longest save streak in as many chances to start a season by a left-handed pitcher in Major League history and ranks third all-time. Britton led the AL and tied for second in the majors in saves. His 0.54 ERA (4 ER/67.0 IP) led Major League relievers and was the lowest in Major League history among pitchers with at least 50.0 innings pitched.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only two other pitchers in Major League history have had an ERA below 1.00 in a season with at least 40 saves: Dennis Eckersley in 1990 (0.61, 48 saves) and Fernando Rodney in 2012 (0.60, 48 saves). Britton ranks third on the O’s all-time saves list with 120 and is one of two left-handers in O’s history with at least 100 career saves (also Tippy Martinez). Britton is the active Major League leader with 49 consecutive saves, dating to October 1, 2015. A total of nine relief pitchers have won the Cy Young Award and the last reliever to win the award was RHP Eric Gagne (Dodgers, 2003).
