Tommy Hunter (groin) could return from the disabled list when first eligible on June 5. Hunter has thrown on flat ground for four days and should throw from the bump soon. The reliever lost his closer job before going on the disabled list, but there's a chance he could get it back at some point, making him a worthy stash if you're searching for saves.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Thursday that he hopes Tommy Hunter (groin) can return from the disabled list when first eligible on June 5. Hunter has had groin issues in the past that have resulted in lengthy DL stays, but the O's are hoping they caught the injury before it got too bad. "Knowing the history with Tommy, Tommy's been out for, I believe, as long as two months with this in Texas," Showalter said. "He actually had one [possible DL stint] that we actually backed off on, I think, later in the year last year, but because we had enough pitchers, we kind of moved around it. But like Chris Davis [with his oblique injury], we were hoping to catch this in the infancy of what could be a lot worse and try to rectify it in the DL period."

Orioles placed RHP Tommy Hunter on the 15-day disabled list with a left groin strain. Hunter will likely be sidelined for three weeks. The O's closer has posted a rough 6.06 ERA and 1.84 WHIP in 16 1/3 innings this season, so maybe the rest will help. Baltimore will use a committee at closer in his absence.

When asked whether Tommy Hunter would close if there is a save situation Wednesday, Orioles manager Buck Showalter replied, "I don't know yet. We'll see" Showalter was also noncommittal about his ninth inning situation after Hunter blew his third save of the season in Tuesday's loss to the Tigers. Hunter is tied for the American League lead with his 11 saves, but he also holds a 6.60 ERA and 1.87 WHIP. Darren O'Day and Zach Britton would be options for saves if Showalter decides to go away from Hunter.

Tommy Hunter blew the save on Tuesday against the Tigers, allowing four runs in 2/3 of an inning. Hunter, who entered the night tied for the league lead with 11 saves, was only in a mild amount of trouble, with Rajai Davis on second and two outs, but he walked Torii Hunter to bring up the always-scary Miguel Cabrera, who hit a go-ahead three-run home run to make it 3-1. Victor Martinez followed up with a solo shot to give the Tigers a three-run lead. Hunter now has three blown saves on the season, a 6.60 ERA, and a streak of four consecutive appearances in which he has allowed at least one run. The Orioles are going to have to seriously consider giving Hunter some time to collect himself in lower-leverage spots.

Tommy Hunter blew his second save of the season but the Orioles rallied to beat the Astros on Saturday. Hunter entered the game in the top of the ninth inning with the O's leading by one run. He struck out George Springer swinging, but Chris Carter singled, Marc Krauss doubled, and then Jose Altuve hit a go-ahead two-run single up the middle. The Orioles tied it back up in the bottom of the ninth and won it in the 10th. Hunter's job appears safe for now, but he is playing with fire.

Tommy Hunter loaded the bases with one out but managed to escape without harm, earning his ninth save in the Orioles' 5-3 win over the Rays on Tuesday. Hunter gave up a single to David DeJesus, walked Yunel Escobar and intentionally walked Ben Zobrist with one out to load the bases, but he managed to get the red-hot Desmond Jennings to fly out before striking out Logan Forsythe -- with Evan Longoria lurking on deck -- to end the game. It's been something of a theme for Hunter this season, as he's got a 2.31 ERA but 1.37 WHIP in his 11 2/3 innings, but he's blown just one of his 10 save opportunities thus far. All's well that ends well, they say.

Tommy Hunter struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning Friday against the Twins for his eighth save of the season. Hunter allowed a leadoff double to Trevor Plouffe, but then struck out Chris Colabello and Jason Kubel before getting Josmil Pinto to ground out to end the ballgame. The 27-year-old has transitioned pretty smoothly into the closer role, going 8-for-9 in save chances while posting a 2.53 ERA and 10/1 K/BB ratio in 10 2/3 innings.

Tommy Hunter managed to pitch a scoreless inning for a save despite giving up three hits in the ninth versus the Blue Jays on Wednesday. Hunter allowed three straight singles with one out, but since it was a two-run game and Dioner Navarro was the lead runner, there was no sense trying to score on the third hit. Unfortunately for the Blue Jays, light-hitting Jonathan Diaz was the only remaining choice to hit with the bases loaded and he grounded into a game-ending double play, giving Hunter a shaky sixth save.

Tommy Hunter earned his fifth save of the season despite allowing a run, as the Orioles won 7-6 over the Red Sox on Monday. Hunter entered with a 7-5 lead and quickly found himself in trouble, loading the bases with one out. Mike Napoli hit an RBI ground out, and Mike Carp couldn't knock in the tying run, instead weakly grounding out himself. Although Hunter has yet to allow an unintentional walk and has struck out five in six innings, he has put himself in a handful of uncomfortable situations to start the season.