Tillman takes his next step
O’s starter to pitch in extended spring game
Orioles right-hander
still faces several hurdles before returning to the team’s rotation, but he took an important step forward Saturday morning when he faced hitters for the first time with a live batting practice session at the team’s spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla.
Manager said he remains cautiously optimistic with Tillman, who was previously shut down before getting to this point in his recovery last month. Tillman then received a cortisone injection before he was able to resume throwing.
“I don’t know if you’re ever going to feel like there’s a point with Chris [where it’s] completely, ‘OK, he’s done that, so everything’s fine,’ ” Showalter said.
“Each time he takes a workday and each time he throws, you — not wonder, but you’re anxious to see how he feels the next day. I would really like to keep him in that environment as little as possible. I’m hoping after this twoinning stint, we can get him back in this environment.”
Tillman’s next step in his recovery from shoulder soreness will be throwing a two-inning extended spring game Tuesday, and Showalter said he hoped Tillman would be able to continue his rehabilitation with a major league affiliate after that, likely with Double-A Bowie.
“He’s going to have to get built up,” Showalter said. “We had a [radar] gun and we filmed it today. I’m not going to broadcast that, but he’s not where he’s gonna be or needs to be. So that’s expected, especially at 10 o’clock in the morning with not a whole lot [going on]. You’ve got to really be pushing in intensity level. You throw two innings there and hopefully his next outing is planning to be in a club.” Miley ready for debut: Lefthander regularseason debut was delayed by a stint on the disabled list, but he will make his first start of the season in today’s series finale against the New York Yankees.
Miley opened the season on the DL after going two weeks between spring starts because of an upper respiratory infection.
The move was backdated to March 30, and the new shorter 10-day disabled list allows him to return today.
Miley threw 87 pitches in a simulated game at Bowie on Tuesday, giving him the pitch count he needed to be ready for the season.
“It worked out good,” Miley said. “It was a smart thing to do. I think I get smarter the older I get. There’s no need to rush in, especially when I’m throwing the fifth game of the year, with the off day letting throw back around. It seemed like it made the most sense.”
The Orioles were able to open the season with just three starters because they had two days off, which allowed Gausman to start his second game Saturday before the club needed Miley to return as the fourth starter.
“Everything has kind of started off well,” Miley said before Saturday’s game. “It’s been an exciting three games so far, but I’m ready for my turn. … I feel like I’m being cheated — Gausman is going twice before I get to pitch. That’s just how it worked out, but I’m super excited about getting out there.”
Miley noted that he’s excited to start this season because this is the first time in three years that he’s opening the season with the same club he ended the previous one with.
After initially struggling with the Orioles after being acquired in a deadline deal with the Seattle Mariners — he had an 8.41 ERA in his first eight starts — Miley found his footing in his final three starts last season, posting a 1.93 ERA with 23 strikeouts and just two walks in 182⁄3 innings.
“It’s a great group of guys here,” Miley said. “I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to suit up with them day in and day out.” Britton says he’s fine: In converting his third save of the season in Saturday’s 5-4 win over the Yankees, closer showed no lasting effects of rolling his right ankle the previous night.
Britton shrugged off the injury before Saturday’s game, calling the visit he received from trainer
Showalter and pitching coach a “courtesy visit.”
“I told Buck, ‘I appreciate the courtesy visit, but I’m fine,’ ” Britton deadpanned.
Britton said he fell after being distracted by a shard that flew off the end of Yankees catcher
bat and went to his right.
“I glanced at it and pretty much juked myself out and rolled my ankle,” Britton said.
Despite falling, Britton still made the play. But he said he received plenty of ribbing from teammates about his awkward fall. Around the horn: the Orioles’ 2016 first-round draft pick, allowed two hits in six scoreless innings in his season debut with High-A Frederick on Saturday . ... Rule 5 pick
who opened the season on the DL with a right forearm strain, is now allowed to swing a bat, Showalter said. Santander will need to be on the 25-man roster for 90 days to fulfill his Rule 5 obligations.