Report: Zach Britton could be converted back to starter in 2018

After asserting himself as one of baseball’s most dominant closers these last few seasons, Zach Britton may be returning to his roots in 2018.

Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports reported on Sunday that Britton, who is currently sidelined with a ruptured Achilles, could be converted back to a starter by the Baltimore Orioles upon his return next season. He also adds that the ex-AL saves leader was approached about the idea earlier this year.

Per Kubatko:

There are people in the organization who continue to support the idea – I was told a couple of officials like it “a lot” – though the surgery tosses a giant wrench in the plan. …

Pitchers aren’t as eager to escape the bullpen and work as starters now that relievers are hitting the jackpot. However, a team like the Orioles could more easily justify paying Britton’s salary if he reentered the rotation and didn’t work an inning at a time. …

What if Britton changed his mind about remaining a closer? He wasn’t adamant about resisting the switch. It isn’t beyond the realm of possibility.

The 30-year-old Britton began his career as a starter and pitched out of the rotation during his first three MLB seasons. But he was converted to relief by the Orioles in 2014 and went on to make two All-Star teams and rack up 120 saves over his next three seasons.

Britton pitched just 37.1 innings with 15 saves recorded in 2017 due to an arm injury, and now the torn Achilles will sideline him for a significant period. But with the Baltimore rotation looking like a major question mark and Britton under contract for at least the next two seasons, perhaps stretching him back out again is the right call — assuming, of course, that his body can handle it.

H/T HardballTalk