BALTIMORE — Because Zack Britton didn’t pitch Tuesday and the Yankees had a two-run lead at the start of the eighth inning in the Yankees’ 7-5 win over the Orioles on Wednesday night, it was unusual to see Chad Green come out of the bullpen in what would typically be Britton’s spot.

“A little beat up after the other night,’’ Aaron Boone said of his left-handed reliever. “As a precaution we were going to stay away from him. He will be back [Thursday].’’

Boone and Britton said it had nothing to do with the Achilles surgery that limited the reliever to 41 games a year ago with the Orioles and Yankees.

“Two games in one day did a number,’’ said Britton, who threw an inning in each game of the May 15 doubleheader against the Orioles at Yankee Stadium. “I have been throwing a lot lately. I will be ready to go [Thursday]. Twenty-two appearances is a lot; [41] last year.’’

After the double duty Britton threw an inning Saturday and worked an inning Monday night.

James Paxton is ready for his next step toward coming off the injured list. The lefty starter, who has been on the IL since April 21 with an inflamed left knee, is nearing the final step in the process of being activated.

“I am flying to Tampa [Thursday] and pitching Friday,’’ said Paxton, who will throw a three-inning simulated game. “Hopefully next homestand if everything goes well.’’

The Yankees are in Kansas City this weekend and open a seven-game homestand against the Padres (three) and Red Sox (four) on Monday.

After missing Tuesday night’s extended spring training game due to dehydration, Didi Gregorius was the DH on Wednesday and went 1-for-3 with a walk. Boone said Gregorius will play short on Thursday.

Troy Tulowitzki added ground balls to his rehab program on Wednesday. He has worked at short, third and second. According to Boone, Tulowitzki, who has played in only five big-league games this year due to a strained left calf, is moving closer to playing in “some kind of game’’ this weekend.

Top outfield prospect Estevan Florial has been moved from the injured rehab list to the active spring training list. Florial dislocated the right wrist in spring training. The next step is to start playing in extended spring training games.

According to Boone, Luis Severino is “moving towards starting to throw but not quite there yet.”