Tillman back in Baltimore
Starting pitcher Chris Tillman and the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract that could grow based upon performance incentives, a source told The Associated Press.
Tillman was 1-7 with a 7.84 ERA in 19 starts and five relief appearances last year for the Orioles, the only team he has pitched for in Major League Baseball, then was allowed to enter free agency. He would be the second starter added by the Orioles in the past week after fellow free agent Andrew Cashner.
In his return to Baltimore, Tillman would likely join Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman and Cashner in the rotation. The Orioles will need to come up with a fifth starter during spring training.
Tillman lives in Sarasota, Fla., where Baltimore’s spring training is located, and had been working out at the facility before the team arrived. Manager Buck Showalter watched Tillman throw and was impressed.
The 2017 season opened with Tillman on the disabled list with right shoulder stiffness. He is 73-55 with a 4.43 ERA in nine major league seasons, all with the Orioles. He won 16 games in both 2013 and ’16.
Baltimore also brought outfielder Alex Presley into camp on a minor league deal . . . .
The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a twoyear, $7.5 million free agent deal with outfielder Jarrod Dyson. Arizona announced the contract shortly after the Red Sox reached agreement on a five-year, $110 million contract with outfielder J.D. Martinez, who finished last season in the desert . . . .
Free agent Joaquin Benoit and the Washington Nationals agreed to a major league contract that will pay the 40-year-old reliever $1 million for the 2018 season, a source told the AP. Benoit broke into the big leagues in 2001.
Colleges: UVA adds to hold on No. 1
Virginia strengthened its hold on No. 1 in The Associated Press’ Top 25 men’s basketball poll. The Cavaliers earned 42-of-65 first-place votes, and the top four remained unchanged. No. 2 Michigan State earned 19 first-place votes and No. 3 Villanova got the other four firstplace votes after winning at No. 4 Xavier. Duke jumped seven spots to No. 5 . . . .
Unbeaten UConn held as the unanimous No. 1 team in the AP Top 25 women’s poll. The Huskies were followed by Mississippi State, Baylor, Louisville and Notre Dame in the top five.
Misc: Vikings add Downing to staff
The NFL’s Minnesota Vikings hired Todd Downing as a senior offensive assistant. Last season, Downing served as the offensive coordinator for the Oakland Raiders . . . .
USA Track and Field placed president Vin Lananna on temporary leave amid a federal investigation into the awarding of the 2021 world championships to Eugene, Ore.