More bad news for the Orioles.  According to Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio, projected Opening Day starter Zach Britton could begin the season on the disabled list and is expected to be limited to start Spring Training.

Duquette tweeted on Wednesday morning that Britton’s shoulder injury from August of 2011 is still lingering.  When asked directly if he expects Britton to start the season on the disabled list, Duquette responded “I don’t know for sure, but I wouldn’t be surprised from what I was told.”

The Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly reports that Orioles GM Dan Duquette is a bit more optimistic than his cousin.  “We are currently monitoring Zach Britton,” Dan Duquette tells Connolly.  “He has already reported to Spring Training and is scheduled to begin his throwing progression this Friday.”

Jim Duquette responded to Connolly’s quote saying, “a ‘throwing progression’ is definitely limited.”  He points out that Britton’s injury “comes on the heals” of Nick Markakis’ sports hernia which went unnoticed for months after the season.