Chris Tillman to elect free agency

Given the option of staying in the organization and resuming his career in the minors, right-hander Chris Tillman has declined the Orioles' offer and will become a free agent.

An official confirmed Tillman's decision, which allows the veteran right-hander to sign with any club later this week.

The Orioles designated Tillman for assignment on Friday following the All-Star break and selected the contract of third baseman Renato Núñez from Triple-A Norfolk. Tillman was told that he could join the Tides rather than be released after clearing waivers.

The club also had the freedom to trade Tillman, but it wasn't a likely outcome after he went 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA and 2.213 WHIP in only 26 2/3 innings. He allowed 31 earned runs (32 total) and 42 hits with 17 walks and 13 strikeouts in 26 2/3 innings.

Any team that signs Tillman will be responsible only for the league-minimum rate after he agreed to a $3 million deal with the Orioles in February that also included a possible $7 million in incentives based on innings.

Tillman hasn't pitched in the majors since May 10 against the Royals, when he surrendered five earned runs (six total) and walked three batters in only 1 1/3 innings. He was charged with seven runs and seven hits in one inning in his previous outing in Anaheim.

The Orioles had to make a decision on Tillman after he completed an injury rehab assignment. Reinstate him from the 10-day disabled list, where he landed with a strained muscle in his lower back, or designated him for assignment.

Tillman made six starts on the assignment and allowed 20 earned runs (22) total and 36 hits in 26 2/3 innings.

An All-Star in 2013 and the opening day starter from 2014-2016, Tillman couldn't rebound from a 2017 season that included the lingering effects of a shoulder injury and a 1-7 record with a 7.84 ERA and 1.892 WHIP in 24 games. He worked out at the Ed Smith Stadium complex over the winter - he lives in Sarasota and made the short commute - and impressed the Orioles with a series of bullpen sessions.

"Chris Tillman was a good pitcher for us for a long time and we gave him an opportunity to regain the form that had him as the ace of our staff and we gave him last year, we gave him this year and we gave him the rehab assignment, and it looks like that we've run out of time on Chris," executive vice president Dan Duquette told MASNsports.com last week.

"He did a great job for us over the years, but given that we're in the rebuilding mode, we're going to give the opportunity for those innings to some younger pitchers that maybe are going to help us build a more competitive team again."

Manager Buck Showalter said he hoped that Tillman would stay in the organization, but apparently found out yesterday that it wasn't going to happen.