Chris Tillman will resume throwing next week

TAMPA - The Orioles got some potentially encouraging news on right-hander Chris Tillman today, who is dealing with shoulder discomfort. He will resume throwing next week, but at the same time, manager Buck Showalter acknowledged that Tillman is not expected to pitch in the majors in April.

Tillman, who got a cortisone injection in that shoulder on Wednesday, will take part in two throwing sessions next Wednesday and Friday.

"He'll have two long-toss sessions," Showalter said in the manager's office before today's game with the Yankees. "If that goes well, we've got it mapped out all the way through April if it goes well. But we could have one day that would change all that (if he had a setback). We've put it down on paper and his fifth outing takes us through April."

Those outings are not major league games but could be either games at extended spring training in Florida or games with Tillman pitching on a minor league rehab assignment.

Showalter said "probably not" when asked if there is time left for Tillman to pitch in a spring training game. But he also indicated Tillman could skip a step or two along the way in his attempt to return to pitch in a game. He may not need the complete normal build-up progression that can include throwing off a flat mound, then a half mound, then a full mound and live batting practice, etc., that leads up to a bullpen session.

This seems to be positive news for Tillman and the Orioles.

"Well, if the first one goes bad (no, it would not be)," Showalter said. "We need to get an idea what we're dealing with. Feel good about this structurally.

"It's been frustrating for him. He's been an opening day starter for us and he knows what he means to our club. Once he gets back - which he will, we feel comfortable with that - it's just take the right steps that he is able to take the ball in May through the end of the season."

In other news, Showalter said Seth Smith could return sometime early next week. Smith is dealing with a right hamstring injury. He hasn't played since homering on March 8 against the Blue Jays in Sarasota. He's 1-for-11 in Grapefruit League games and also doubled against the Dominican Republic.

Showalter was asked if Pedro Álvarez, who is starting here in right field today, could be ready to play in the outfield by opening day.

"I'm not going to go there yet," Showalter said. "He's going to let it rip out there. I'm not going to put any limitations on anything at this point, especially with some of the roster flexibility we'll have in April with the off-days. I think he knows realistically it's a long-shot on paper, but things can change."

Showalter hopes Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander can return in the next day or two and hopefully play the outfield then as well. Santander underwent an MRI arthrogram this week, where dye is injected into the elbow, and it didn't reveal any structural damage.

Ryan Flaherty, who had a cortisone shot on Monday for right shoulder discomfort, could return as soon as Monday.

The Orioles could make several cuts tomorrow.