SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles pitcher Zach Britton continues to inch forward in his progression from left shoulder inflammation, throwing a 25-pitch bullpen session Friday that left Britton and the coaching staff impressed.

"I was throwing strikes," said Britton, who threw to bullpen catcher Ronnie Deck, standing in front of the mound and gradually working his way back to the rubber. "I think there were three mishaps, two balls I bounced and one that kind of cut on me a little bit.

"[It was] probably the best first bullpen in a long time. Normally, your first bullpen is pretty bad, but I felt pretty good. I wasn't sore at all when I threw off the mound or when I was done, so I think [Saturday] I'll be fine."