Barring an unforeseen setback, left-hander Wei-Yin Chen will likely rejoin the Orioles starting rotation next week after throwing seven shutout innings Thursday night in his second minor-league rehab start for Double-A Bowie.
In a 6-2 win over Harrisburg, Chen -- who on the disabled list with a left oblique strain -- allowed just four hits and retired 13 of his last 14 batters and faced the minimum batters for his final four innings of work. Chen struck out three and walked none while throwing 89 pitches, 55 of them strikes.
"I felt great and strong tonight," Chen said through his interpreter Tim Lin. "Same approach to this game and every game. I am always ready to help the team and ready to come back to do my job again."
Chen left from Harrisburg after the game and is expected to be at Yankee Stadium on Friday.
Chen, who made his last big league start on May 12, could rejoin the rotation on regular rest on Tuesday against the Texas Rangers at Camden Yards. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said the team could also give Chen an extra day rest and start Chen Wednesday against Texas and start Zach Britton, who recorded his first major league quality start of 2013 on Thursday, on Tuesday.