Orioles outfielder Chris Dickerson had a cortisone shot in his left shoulder before Thursday's game, something he said should get him, "over that hump and kind of get to the All-Star break."
Dickerson was scratched from Wednesday's start after experiencing pain in the shoulder while taking batting practice.
He said he felt better Thursday when taking dry swings, but did not attempt to hit off a tee or throw. That, he said, should happen Friday.
"I'll throw [Friday] and then hit a little bit. Come in early and test it out," Dickerson said. "I took some dry swings today and it felt fine. So I'll get here early [Friday], I'll graduate to the tee. And then hopefully take batting practice. How it felt today compared to yesterday, I don't think there will be much of an issue."
Orioles manager Buck Showalter said he could have used Dickerson in a pinch-running situation Thursday. He said he is hopeful Dickerson will be ready to play this weekend. But if he can't, the club will likely make a roster move.
"If we don't think he can do what we need him to do, we'll get somebody in," Showalter said. "These three games are important as any games. We're not just saying, 'Oh what the heck, we'll go through three games [before the break] without [him].' No, if we don't feel he can contribute in some factor at in some form, we'll make an adjustment."