As Britton returns, Showalter knows other teams are watching

Zach Britton's performance over the next month could go a long way toward improving the future of the Baltimore Orioles.

The All-Star reliever was activated from the disabled list Monday after beginning the season sidelined with a torn Achilles, and could be a major trade chip for his basement-dwelling club.

Manager Buck Showalter acknowledged the seven weeks leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline will serve to showcase Britton to other teams, though that won't determine when he appears in games.

"I know what teams that have interest in a guy like Zach, what they're looking for," Showalter said, according to Roch Kubatko of MASN. "I think he's got enough ... In fact, I know there were scouts at every game he threw in rehab the last three or four outings. Multiple scouts, OK? There are no secrets.

"Believe me, there were enough there. I think they know what they could potentially get if we get to that point. He's arguably as good if not the best guy out there when he's right, and I think he's got a chance to be right. He may go through a couple hiccups early on, just from an adrenaline standpoint alone, trying to control that juice flow."

Britton was an All-Star in 2015 and 2016. The 30-year-old was limited to 37 1/3 innings last season due to left forearm tightness. When he did pitch, he posted a 2.89 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 29 strikeouts.