Tillman on signing with Texas, plus Showalter pregame (game update)

ARLINGTON, Texas - At a time when six veteran players have left the Orioles via trades, a former Orioles veteran was in the ballpark today as the team arrived at Globe Life Park.

Right-hander Chris Tillman, designated for assignment by the Orioles on July 20 and released five days later, today signed a minor league deal with Texas. He is going to report to their Triple-A Round Rock club.

Tillman went on a minor league rehab assignment for the Orioles and recorded a 6.75 ERA in six starts on the farm after going 1-5 with a 10.46 ERA in seven starts for the Orioles.

Tillman turned down one last offer from the Orioles. That was to go to Triple-A Norfolk and continue to pitch. Tillman was here today to do some throwing and meet with Rangers officials. He was asked about turning down the chance to go to Norfolk.

"Because they made it pretty clear that they were going young," Tillman said. "And (they) kind of said that, regardless of what I did, they were going to stick with the young guys pretty much. That was what I got out of the phone call I had and that doesn't sound like a very good opportunity for me. I kind of waited it out a bit and here I am."

Tillman hopes this second chance will work out and finally get him back to pitching well in the majors.

"You see it all the time," he said. "Guys can get stagnant and stale and they get in a different environment, different color uniform, and I think this is a great opportunity."

Tillman said there were a few teams that reached out to him but he heard good things about the pitching coaches with the Rangers. Former Oriole Yovanni Gallardo, who is pitching against Baltimore tonight, also called him and said he should sign with Texas.

Tillman had plenty of good days with the Orioles and said as he leaves Baltimore behind, he has only good memories.

"It was awesome," he said. "I can't say a bad thing about it. Spent a lot of time there and got to know a lot of really good people and I'm grateful. We had a heck of a run for a quite a few years and it was sure fun while it lasted."

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said was he was happy for Tillman.

"Everybody would love to have a Chris Tillman around," said Showalter. "But for Chris' sake, this is probably the right move for him and his family and his future. He's still a young man with a healthy arm. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him pitching at a high level again."

The Orioles today activated infielder Jonathan Villar to their roster. He was traded from Milwaukee in the deal that sent Jonathan Schoop to the Brewers. He is batting leadoff, playing second base and wearing uniform No. 34. Infielder Breyvic Valera was optioned to Norfolk.

Showalter was asked if Villar will be the everyday second baseman.

"We'll see. We'll keep everybody in play there," Showalter said. "We'll take a good look at him. I'd like to give him a chance to show what he can't do. But I'm not going to say regardless of what happens, this guy is going to be there every day. There are other people we want to look at too. But we'll see if he can take advantage of the opportunity he's been given."

Showalter said Villar may also play some at shortstop, as well. He would like to have someone take over the leadoff spot and Villar may get a shot.

"He's capable of playing all of them (on the infield). I know he was very interested in steal signs today," Showalter said. "Told him, 'Go.' "

So Villar, who led the National League with 62 steals in 2016, will have a green light to steal?

"What's greener than green," Showalter quipped.

Showalter said minor league pitcher Hunter Harvey is progressing well. He injured his shoulder at Double-A Bowie in early June - not pitching, but when he tried to avoid a line drive into the dugout.

"He's throwing some sides," Showalter said. "I think now with that last checkup, they'll really turn him loose. I think he will really be starting to make some progress."

But if Harvey does return soon to pitch in games and throws well, it is unlikely we see him in Baltimore this year.

"I'd never say never, but we haven't gotten that far," Showalter said. "There are a lot of steps to be taken before that is a consideration. Right now, I doubt it, but that could change."

Cashner gets early exit: This game started fine for the Orioles. Villar led off with a single to center and later scored on Mark Trumbo's grounder for a 1-0 lead.

Then the roof fell on starter Andrew Cashner. He allowed a career-high 10 runs in 1 2/3 innings as the Orioles fell behind 10-1 after the second. Jurickson Profar had a three-run homer in the first inning and singled in a run during the Rangers' seven-run second.

Cashner allowed seven hits with three walks and one strikeout and threw 61 pitches. His ERA was 3.46 over his past nine starts. He began today with an ERA of 4.33, but it is now at 5.05. The Orioles have a lot of game left but a big hole to try and dig out of in the series opener.

It's a bigger hole now: Texas leads 13-3 in the fifth after scoring three in the last of the fourth off Jhan Mariñez. Before the last of the fifth began, Mariñez walked off with an apparent injury and Miguel Castro is the fourth pitcher of the night. The Rangers' Rougned Odor set a career high with four walks tonight. He did that in four innings.

Trumbo's 997th career hit was a two-run homer in the fifth and the O's cut the Texas lead to 10 at 13-3.