RHP Zach Britton is expected to come off the disabled list Wednesday and join the team in Milwaukee. Britton has been out since early May with a strained right forearm but had a 2.08 ERA in nine minor league rehab appearances and is ready to return to regular action. Manager Buck Showalter would reveal whether or not Britton, an all-star who's saved 125 games over the last three seasons, would immediately return to the closer's role.

LHP Zach Britton (strained left forearm) allowed one run and two hits Monday in a one-inning rehabilitation outing at Double-A Bowie. Britton is scheduled to make back-to-back appearances -- Bowie on Thursday and Class A Frederick on Friday. Britton will next pitch at Triple-A Norfolk Monday. He is eligible to come off the 60-day disabled list July 5.

LHP Zach Britton just came off the disabled list earlier this week after being there with a forearm strain, and manager Buck Showalter said after the game that the issue has popped up again. Britton had an MRI exam on Friday night, and team officials will talk to the pitcher and the medical staff to determine what they do next. "Same forearm strain, I think," Showalter said. "I talked to Zach today and Dr. Jacobs and [others]. Just trying to gather all the information as to which direction to go."

LHP Drake Britton, a minor-leaguer for the Tigers, was suspended 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines.Britton, 27, was pitching at Triple-A Toledo when the suspension was announced. He was 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in six starts with the Mud Hens. Britton made 25 appearances with the Boston Red Sox -- all in relief -- in 2013 and 2014, logging a 1-1 record and 2.93 ERA.

St. Louis Cardinals minor-league prospect Luke Doyle on Tuesday was suspended 100 games for his refusal to take a drug test.Doyle, a second baseman for Johnson City of the Appalachian League, had been suspended for 50 games in March for testing positive for amphetamines, a banned stimulant.The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball also announced Tuesday that Drake Britton, a left-handed minor-leaguer for the Detroit Tigers, was suspended 50 games after testing positive for amphetamines.Britton, 27, was pitching at Triple-A Toledo of the International League when the suspension was announced. He was 0-3 with a 4.57 ERA in six starts with the Mud Hens. Britton made 25 appearances with the Boston Red Sox -- all in relief -- in 2013 and 2014, logging a 1-1 record and 2.93 ERA.Doyle appeared in 44 games with Johnson City in 2015, batting .207 with three homers and 52 RBIs.

Britton cleared waivers Friday and was assigned to Triple-A Iowa, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Britton was placed on waivers earlier in the week, but went unclaimed and will now begin the season at Triple-A. He is no longer a member of the 40-man roster, however, so he's further distanced from a spot in the majors.

Britton pitched a scoreless inning Saturday and is in contention for one of the remaining spots in the bullpen, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.

The Cubs are expected to have seven pitchers in their bullpen, and with Hector Rondon, Pedro Strop, Neil Ramirez, Jason Motte, and either Travis Wood or Edwin Jackson already locked in, there are probably only two spots up for grabs. The left-handed Britton, who has walked four and struck out four in 7.1 innings this spring, is probably behind Phil Coke and Zac Rosscup for the top lefty in the pen.

Britton could make the Cubs' pen as a situational lefty, the team's official site reports.

Britton struggled with Triple-A Pawtucket in 2014, finishing with a 5.86 ERA and 37:38 K:BB ratio in 58.1 innings, but there aren't a lot of good relief lefties on the 40-man roster, so he may have to only beat out the likes of Felix Doubront, Zac Rosscup, Eric Jokisch, and Joe Ortiz to win the job.

Britton was claimed off waivers by the Cubs on Wednesday from the Red Sox.

Britton has had two successful stints in the majors over the past two seasons, posting a combined 2.93 ERA over 25 appearances. The 25-year-old hasn't had good results in the minors though, spending the majority of 2014 in Triple-A, posting a 5.86 ERA and more walks than strikeouts in 45 appearances.

Britton was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Friday, Tim Britton of the Providence Journal reports.

Britton turned in seven scoreless appearances with the Red Sox last season, but his numbers in 45 appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket were far less impressive (5.86 ERA, 1.97 WHIP). Another team may be inclined to give the 25-year-old lefty a look in a specialist role, but if not, Britton will likely head back to Pawtucket to begin the 2015 campaign.

Britton threw a scoreless third of an inning in Tuesday night's loss to the Pirates. Opponents are now 1-for-13 against him this year.

Britton's career nearly came off the rails at Triple-A Pawtucket this season, recording a 5.86 ERA and 1.979 WHIP in 58.1 innings. His success in a short sample size this year will likely put him in the mix as a left-handed option out of the bullpen. With Andrew Miller traded and Craig Breslow unlikely to return, there's a 2015 opening for Britton.

Britton was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket on Friday, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

Considering Britton's 5.86 ERA and 1.97 WHIP in 45 appearances with Pawtucket this season, it seem safe to assume he will be used exclusively in mop-up duty over the remainder of the season. The 25-year-old struggled mightily against opposing lefties (7.50 ERA, .276 BAA), so his chances of earning a specialist role out of spring training next season appear minimal.

Red Sox optioned LHP Drake Britton to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Britton was the 26th man for Thursday's doubleheader but didn't make an appearance. He returns to a 1.29 ERA over 10 Triple-A appearances.

Red Sox recalled LHP Drake Britton from Triple-A Pawtucket.

He'll serve as the 26th man for Thursday's doubleheader against the Rays. Chris Capuano and Andrew Miller both pitched in the first game, so Britton could get the call depending on the situation.

Red Sox optioned LHP Drake Britton to Triple-A Pawtucket.

Britton had a shot to earn a major league job this spring but posted a 6.52 ERA and 1.55 WHIP over 9 2/3 innings of work. The 24-year-old will be among the first pitchers recalled if the Sox need pitching help this summer.

Red Sox recalled LHP Drake Britton from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Britton will provide some length in the bullpen with Brandon Workman making his first major league start Sunday. The left-hander has posted a 3.77 ERA with 85 strikeouts over 102 2/3 innings between Double- and Triple-A this season.

Red Sox pitching prospect Drake Britton has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket.

The 24-year-old left-hander compiled a 7-6 record, 3.51 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 80/36 K/BB ratio over 97 1/3 innings at Double-A Portland. He's done a nice job of focusing and getting his 2013 season on track in the whirlwind of facing DUI and reckless driving charges from an incident this spring.

Red Sox pitching prospect Drake Britton could face up to a year in jail for the March 2 incident that left him with charges of driving under the influence, reckless driving and property damage.

The DUI and property damage charges are the most serious, and are punishable by jail time, a $1,000 fine or both. Britton faces a hearing on April 12. The 11th-ranked prospect in the Red Sox system according to Baseball America, he has been a full participant in minor league camp while awaiting word from a Florida court.

Red Sox prospect left-hander Drake Britton was arrested Saturday on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and property damage.

The arrest occurred at 4:42 a.m. in Fort Myers, Florida. Britton, 23, was then scratched from a scheduled appearance Sunday and optioned to Double-A Portland on Monday.

Red Sox optioned LHP Drake Britton to Double-A Portland.

Britton was in big league camp with the Sox but never had a shot to make the Opening Day roster. The 23-year-old allowed three runs and walked four over 3 1/3 spring frames.