Jason Berken will not throw Sunday but has reported improvement with his hamstring strain.

The right-hander is feeling more stable and says walking is more "normal" now. It's not clear when he'll get on the bump again, but at least he's showing improvement. Barring a setback, he should be able to heal in plenty of time to get ready for the season. Berken is slated for a middle relief role.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Jason Berken's hamstring injury is "worse than a tweak but not a fully hammy (pull)."

Berken, who suffered the injury Thursday, is not working out again Friday, and MASNSports' Roch Kubatko says the pitcher is a "little worse now than day-to-day." We'll continue to monitor his status, but it doesn't sound like something that will threaten his status for Opening Day unless he aggravates it.

Orioles' manager Buck Showalter said that Jason Berken tweaked his left hamstring during workouts Thursday.

The severity of the injury isn't yet known. Berken, 28, posted a 5.36 ERA and 41/21 K/BB ratio over 47 innings as a reliever last season and will be in the mix for a bullpen gig this spring.

Orioles activated RHP Jason Berken from the 15-day disabled list.

Berken has been sidelined since mid-August with a right forearm strain. He'll likely be used in a long-relief role as the season winds down. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 5.80 ERA and 35/17 K/BB ratio over 40 1/3 innings this year.

Jason Berken (forearm) will likely rejoin the Orioles Monday.

Berken threw a simulated game Thursday with no issues and is ready to be activated. It's possible he could meet up with the team in Toronto, but they'll likely just wait a couple days until they're back in Baltimore. Berken has been sidelined since August 22.

Jason Berken (forearm) threw a simulated game Thursday at the team's spring training complex in Sarasota.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter was told that the session went well. Berken has been sidelined since mid-August with a right forearm strain, but he could be back within the next few days. The 27-year-old right-hander has a 5.80 ERA and 35/17 K/BB ratio over 40 1/3 innings this season.

Jason Berken (forearm) threw a bullpen session Sunday.

Berken has been out since mid-August with a strained right forearm. Barring any setbacks, he will probably be ready to return to action sometime in the next week or so.

Jason Berken (forearm) is expected to travel to Sarasota, Florida this week to resume throwing.

Berken was placed on the disabled list earlier this month with a right forearm strain. Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Monday that he is tentatively scheduled to pitch a rehab game September 8. Barring any setbacks, he could return sometime around mid-September.

An MRA on Jason Berken's right forearm did not show any structural damage.

Berken was placed on the disabled list Monday with a right forearm strain. The MRA did show some inflammation, so he will likely be given a cortisone shot. There is no timetable for his return.

Orioles placed RHP Jason Berken on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 18, with a right forearm strain.

As expected, he was cleared to make room for Monday's starter Zach Britton. The early word is that Berken doesn't have any structural damage in his elbow, but the Orioles are scheduled to send him for an MRA. He is sidelined indefinitely.

Jason Berken will receive an MRA on his right elbow Monday in Baltimore.

An MRA is basically the same thing as an MRI, expect that dye is injected so the doctor can more clearly read the results. Berken visited Dr. Lewis Yocum on Sunday, with the results from that exam not known. The O's have yet to place him on the DL, but it seems like a foregone conclusion that they will.

Jason Berken will be placed on the disabled list due to right elbow discomfort.

Berken will pay a visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum on Sunday, which is never a good sign. He's posted a 5.80 ERA and 1.81 WHIP over 35 appearances this season, though the numbers are skewed by an outing on July 30 when he allowed seven runs over 2 2/3 innings.

Orioles recalled RHP Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk.

He'll take the place of the injured Cesar Izturis on the 25-man roster. Berken, 27, has a 6.27 ERA and 35/16 K/BB ratio over 37 1/3 innings with the big club this season. Look for him in a long relief role.

Orioles optioned RHP Jason Berken to Triple-A Norfolk.

Berken was pummeled for seven runs over 2 2/3 innings Saturday, earning him a ticket to the minors. He should return before the year is over.

Orioles recalled RHP Jason Berken from Triple-A Norfolk.

Berken will serve as the Orioles' primary long reliever until Alferdo Simon recovers from his hamstring strain. Berken, 27, registered a 3.86 ERA in 16 1/3 innings for Norfolk and will try to ride that momentum.

Jason Berken is expected to join the Orioles in Toronto.

No word on the corresponding roster move. Berken posted a 3.86 ERA and 15/7 K/BB ratio over four starts after being demoted to the minors last month. He will likely return in a relief role.

The Orioles plan to stretch Jason Berken out as a starting pitcher with Triple-A Norfolk.

He'll make his first start Tuesday. Berken was sent to the minors after giving up six runs on five hits -- including two homers -- in just one inning against the Nationals on Friday night. He has a 7.94 ERA and 17/10 K/BB ratio over 17 innings this season. The O's hope he can serve as insurance for the starting rotation.

Jason Berken has allowed runs in five of his last seven appearances and has a 5.28 ERA on the year, but he insists that his surgically-repaired shoulder is just fine.

"I don't pay a ton of attention to velocity because I think it's an overused tool at times, but at the beginning of the year, my velocity was in that 88 to 92 [mph] range. Of late, it's been 93 and 94," Berken said. "So I feel like shoulderwise, the strength is there. My recovery time is great. The shoulder for me is a non-issue, a non-concern. For me, it's execution. That's all it is. I feel like I'm really close, and it's been a couple of pitches here and there that have hurt me." Berken appeared to find his calling in relief last year, so hopefully he can turn his season around soon.

Jason Berken said he has lost 30 pounds over the winter.

"My conditioning level has been at an all-time high, and my diet has been a lot better," said Berken. "I had a little extra time with my injury, and I wanted to use that time wisely. And I have been able to drop some bad weight." Berken dealt with shoulder problems during the 2010 season but feels he's over them now. He said he'd still like to be a starter, but he appeared to find his niche as a reliever before he got hurt, posting a 3.03 ERA and 45/19 K/BB ratio over 62 1/3 innings.

Jason Berken (shoulder) expects to be ready for spring training.

"It's like night and day," Berken said of his right shoulder. "Physically, I feel incredible. I'm on track to where I know I'm going to start throwing a good month of long toss [and] be ready to go for spring training." Berken was having a nice season in his first year as a reliever before being plagued by a slight labrum tear in his shoulder, posting a 3.03 ERA and 45/19 K/BB ratio over 62 1/3 innings. He's not out of the woods yet, but things are looking positive.