BALTIMORE -- Who needs to wait for expanded rosters? The Orioles dipped down to the Minor Leagues to check out some young talent Wednesday, a full week before rosters expand to 40 men for the month of September. Baltimore swapped out rookie reliever Chris Britton and replaced him with Jim Hoey, who came from Double-A Bowie.

"It was kind of two-fold," said Baltimore manager Sam Perlozzo. "We wanted to get an earlier look at Jim Hoey, and we wanted to freshen Chris up a little bit. He's been going at it pretty hard [and] he had a long Winter Ball. We thought he needed a little break, and we wanted to see Mr. Hoey. [Britton] will be down there for 10 days and come back.

"In the meantime, we get to see another youngster."

Hoey started his season at Class A Delmarva and has also spent stints with Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. His combined numbers at all three stops -- a 2-1 record with 33 saves and a 2.28 ERA -- were outstanding. Baltimore knew it would have to protect him next season, so it figured it made sense to see him pitch before then.

To do that, the Orioles had to make room, so they designated Eddy Rodriguez to make space on the 40-man roster and optioned Britton to Bowie, where he can pitch for the next 10 days without big league pressure. Hoey seemed genuinely excited about his promotion -- even the part where he arrived in a car that was too cramped.

"We were in Altoona. We were three and a half hours away," he said of his last stop. "I drove in a 2001 Honda Accord, coming down here. It was a little small for that, compared to a bus size, but whatever way I can get here."

To be fair, Hoey's path has been much more arduous than a couple uncomfortable hours. The former 13th-round pick missed virtually all of the 2004 season with an elbow injury that eventually necessitated Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. Last year, after completing his rehabilitation, he made just nine appearances, all in relief.

Perhaps because of that recent history, the 23-year-old started this season with modest expectations. He just wanted to grab the attention of the front office, and he said everything had to break right for him to land in the big leagues.

"It's been a long year, coming from Low A. It's a little different to be up here now," he said. "The only thing I was shooting for was perhaps Double-A. That was my main concern -- trying to get on the 40-man to go to big league Spring Training. That's the only thing I was worried about."

Making his mark: Hoey will likely be used in middle relief for the time being, and he said he doesn't expect any extra nerves when he makes his big league debut. The 6-foot-6 reliever said he's gotten used to the transitions between leagues this season, and he's looking forward to getting on the mound and proving he belongs.

"You're surprised that your fastball still has the same velocity and effect on hitters, and your slider can do the same thing," he said of adjusting to new leagues. "I'm not a very emotional guy. I've been pitching my whole life. It's not new to me. It's going to be the same thing, over and over. It's going to be me and the catcher.

"I don't really hear anything when I'm out there."

Perlozzo said he's not sure how he'll use Hoey, but he's looking forward to adding another high-impact arm.

"We wanted to get a little more time to see Mr. Hoey. We thought now was the time and the time was right," he said. "Maybe the first guy in out of the 'pen -- sixth, seventh inning -- first time out. We'll see what we've got. We'll try not to get him into a real key situation the first time. ... A little earlier the first time or two, and we'll see what happens."

Work release: Britton has been all but assured that he'll be back with the team in September, and he said he's going to work on his offspeed offerings while pitching for Bowie. The right-hander has lost command of both his slider and his changeup at points of the season, and the Orioles want him to be more consistent.

"It's mechanical and physical. I'm just trying to get the right grip and everything," said Britton, who has worked to a 6.75 ERA in 15 appearances since the All-Star break. "Stuff happens. I'm going to go down there, work on my stuff and get back up here."

"I thought he threw the ball a little better in the zone last time," added Perlozzo. "He still has the same velocity, just his location has not been good. He's only going to be there a short time, and then come back and join us."

Fall ball: The Orioles announced that seven of their prospects will play in the Arizona Fall League. Outfielders Nolan Reimold and Jeff Fiorentino will join infielder Bryan Bass and pitchers Brian Finch, Ryan Keefer, Nick McCurdy and Cory Morris on the Grand Canyon Rafters.

Reimold, perhaps the best offensive prospect in the organization, is batting .254 with 17 home runs for Frederick.

Quotable: "He said it's been quite a roller-coaster ride, and I said, 'Well, the roller-coaster ride stops here, son.' He sounds excited, and I've never seen him, so I'm anxious to see him." -- Perlozzo, talking about Hoey, who will have pitched in four levels this season as soon as he makes his big league debut

Coming up: The Orioles and Twins will meet in a 7:05 p.m. ET series finale Thursday, a game that pits Kris Benson against Minnesota's Boof Bonser, a rookie who has never faced Baltimore before.