Without having to making any tough decisions, the Orioles might be down to 12 pitchers. But it didn't happen exactly how they wanted.
Left-handed reliever Wesley Wright told the training staff after pitching 1 1/3 innings Friday that he is dealing with an occasional shooting pain in the left part of his neck and shoulder, which he believes is soreness in his trapezius muscle.
"We're going to kind of monitor it and see how it feels in the morning. It's just one of those things where I feel a little discomfort in the back of my shoulder," he said. "Just didn't feel like me standing out there and trying to compete through it was something that was best for the team, and I decided to say something about it and get it treated."
Wright, 30, who signed with the Orioles in the offseason, has made two appearances this season, allowing one run in 1 2/3 innings. His velocity was down this spring, but the team hoped it would improve as the regular season neared.
Wright, though, said he felt he wasn't pitching as well as he could, partly because of his discomfort.
"It comes and goes," he said. "They want to make sure it's nothing in the nerve area in my neck or anything like that."
In his previous seven seasons in the majors, Wright has been on the disabled list just once: – in 2009, when he missed 18 games with the Houston Astros with a left shoulder strain. He said he hasn't been scheduled to undergo any tests yet.
"I'm pretty concerned. I'm a guy who most of my career has been on the field," Wright said. "Not really the type of guy who even likes to be in the training room."
Wright and fellow left-hander Brian Matusz were considered trade chips for the Orioles, who were trying to get to 12 pitchers on their 25-man roster. If Wright goes to the disabled list, Matusz would be the only left-hander in the bullpen besides closer Zach Britton.
With Wright out, the Orioles could add another hitter, but with Ubaldo Jimenez starting Saturday and Kevin Gausman needed in case Jimenez struggles, the Orioles might want to recall another reliever. Left-hander T.J. McFarland is expected to start Saturday for Triple-A Norfolk.