DETROIT — Miguel Gonzalez’s next start will be Friday at U.S. Cellular Field.

“I understand we’re going to be facing the Orioles,’’ Gonzalez said Tuesday. “I’m pretty excited about that.’’

Ah, the Orioles. The team which let Gonzalez go even though the 32-year-old right-hander had been a mainstay in their starting rotation since he made his debut with them in 2012.

What’s more, Gonzalez was well-liked and respected in the Orioles’ clubhouse, so his departure didn’t go over all that well at the time.

Shoulder and elbow problems plagued him in 2015, though, and when his velocity didn’t return during the spring, the Orioles placed him on release waivers, and their loss turned into a gain for the Sox.

The Sox signed Gonzalez to a minor-league deal before Opening Day, his arm strength came back, and the Sox had themselves a veteran who would round back into form and, in July, would pitch 6 innings or more in all 6 starts and post a 2.50 ERA (with a 1-2 record).

“Now I’m healthy,’’ Gonzalez said. “If you’re healthy, you have a chance.’’

Gonzalez is arbitration eligible for one more season before reaching free agency, and he could be back with the Sox in 2017. He would like to be.

“Definitely,’’ he said. “Great group of guys around here.’’

As for the Orioles, there are no hard feelings, but the competitor in him will be amped up Friday.

“That was the team that gave me my first opportunity,’’ he said. “I have a lot of friends over there. It will be interesting.

“I understand they wanted to give young guys an opportunity. I understand what they were trying to do.’’

Gonzalez is 41-38 with a 3.85 ERA in five seasons, including ERAs of 3.25, 3.78 and 3.23 his first three before dropping to 4.91 through arm issues last season. He’s 2-5 with a 4.06 ERA in 2016.

Eaton all right:

Right fielder Adam Eaton leads major-league outfielders in assists 16, four more than the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Starling Marte going into Tuesday’s games.

That puts Eaton on pace for 25 assists, which would tie for the fifth-highest total by an outfielder in Sox history and the most since Bibb Falk with 26 in 1924.

Eaton bounced back from off-season surgery and worked his way back slowly but doggedly during spring training.

“It hurt so bad (last season),’’ Eaton said. “I had no muscle, I had nothing. My entire nerve was cut off from everything. I had no feel, no touch, no strength. Basically my arm was, I don’t know … it was mush.’’

Lawrie slow to recover

Brett Lawrie would be eligible to come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday but still isn’t close to a minor-league rehab stint, even though his right hamstring “feels better.”

“I don’t see him getting close just yet,’’ Ventura said.

Short on the left side:

Zach Duke’s departure in the trade for Charlie Tilson leaves one left-hander, Dan Jennings, in the bullpen.

“You have to find a righty who can alleviate some of Jennings’ workload who can get some lefties out,’’ manager Robin Ventura said. “We’re going to see who that is.’’

• This report was produced in partnership with the Chicago Sun-Times. For related coverage, check chicago.suntimes.com.