Tillman to make at least one more rehab start

Pitcher won’t be used in Fenway Park series

NEW YORK — Orioles righthander will make at least one more minor league rehabilitation start before returning from the disabled list, starting for Triple-A Norfolk at Charlotte on Tuesday.

After Tillman’s third rehab start Thursday for High-A Frederick, the club considered activating him from the DL to make his Orioles regular-season debut Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. But the team ultimately decided he could benefit from another outing in the minors.

“I just think the whole experience [will be good],” Orioles manager said. “It’s a very hitter-friendly park. They have a lot of left-handed hitters. … Physically, one more start and I think he should be fine.”

Tillman allowed six runs (four earned) over five innings in his most recent rehab start pitching for the Keys at Potomac on Thursday. His fastball sat a few ticks down at 87-88 mph, but he emerged from that start saying he thought he was ready to return. The next morning, he traveled to New York to meet the team to discuss his next step.

“If you’re waiting for guys on rehab to pitch shutouts and throw 100 miles an hour, it’s just not going to happen,” Showalter said. “I can never remember one where they called back and said, ‘Wow, take this guy. He’s so much better than this level.’ It’s just not going to happen.”

Tillman will face his highest level of competition Tuesday after making two starts for Double-A Bowie before pitching for Frederick. That played a role in getting Tillman one more minor league start.

“It’s so easy to get in and out of there, and I think talking to Chris, it’s the best competition, the best facility,” Showalter said. “So it will be good for him.” Britton back to Bowie: Closer

who was unable to get through a full inning in his first rehab outing Friday at Bowie, will make an additional appearance at Bowie on Sunday and could be activated and available for Tuesday’s game in Boston.

Britton needed 28 pitches to get two outs Friday, allowing a homer and walking two. Showalter said Britton told him he felt rusty in the outing.

“Hopefully another outing will knock some of that rust off,” Showalter said. “Physically, it felt good. All the velocities will tick up when they come up here. He said actually the ball was moving too much. He was running the sinker too much. Actually, he was missing up some. We’ll see what happens next time out.” Starters up in the air for Boston: Showalter said the starting pitchers for the Orioles’ first two games in Boston on Monday and Tuesday aren’t definitive.

The club considered giving right-hander an extra day of rest, but he is still scheduled to start Monday on regular rest. Tuesday’s starter is still to be determined.

“I feel pretty confident that Dylan will start Monday, but that could change,” Showalter said. “Was talking to him yesterday and he felt really good on his work day. He didn’t have any problems. He had a little trouble getting loose his last outing until the third inning, but he felt good after that. Said he felt a lot better with this work day than he did the last one.”

Tillman was considered for Tuesday. But now that he’s making another rehab start, righthander is the leading contender to start that game provided he isn’t used in long relief Sunday. Castillo catching Miley on Sunday: After catching 10 innings on Friday night, Showalter gave starter the afternoon off Saturday, pairing

with right-hander

The move also means that Castillo and not Joseph will catch left-hander on Sunday. Joseph caught Miley’s first four starts of the season and the left-hander owns a 2.08 ERA over that span.

“You know he’s a good catcher, and nobody knows that more than Wade Miley,” Showalter said of Castillo. “There are going to be some days where Caleb’s not available. … That’s a dangerous thing to get into because all of a sudden something happens physically. We have two good catchers potentially and we’re lucky to have them. I’m not going to do that to him.” Around the horn: Second baseman extended his on-base streak to 16 games. Third baseman has reached base in 10 straight games . ... Designated hitter

sixth-inning grand slam Friday gave him 16 career homers against the Yankees in 50 games, which is tied for the fifth-most home runs over a player’s first 50 games against the Yankees.