Chris Tillman named opening day starter

SARASOTA, Fla. - Make it three straight years for Chris Tillman as the opening day starter.

Orioles manager Buck Showalter confirmed this morning that Tillman will take the mound for the April 4 game against the Twins at Camden Yards.

Tillman entered camp as the favorite despite the Orioles signing veteran Yovani Gallardo last month to a restructured two-year deal with an option for 2018. And despite having his ERA climb from 3.34 in 2014 to 4.99 last season.

Last spring, Tillman became just the third Orioles pitcher since 2000 to open the season in back-to-back years, following Jeremy Guthrie (2008-2009) and Rodrigo Lopez (2005-2006). Now he's joined the three-timers club.

Tillman also become the youngest Orioles pitcher to make consecutive opening day starts since former ace Mike Mussina handled the honor from 1994-1996 between ages 25 and 27.

Tillman, who turns 28 on April 15, now has something else in common with Mussina, who was the last Orioles pitcher to start on opening day in three consecutive seasons. Mussina did it from 1998-2000.

"It says something about his dependability from a post-up standpoint," Showalter said.

Showalter also considered Gallardo, who made five straight opening day starts with the Brewers, and Ubaldo Jimenez for the assignment. The final decision was made yesterday.

"I sat down with Wally (Dave Wallace) and Dom (Chiti) and decided it fit best for this outing and others down the road," Showalter said.

"I think if Yovani had been here for us since the first day, he might have been a little more of a factor," Showalter said.

Last year, Tillman became the 16th Orioles pitcher to record at least three seasons of 30 or more starts and 10 or more wins in the same season. He finished 10-10, the fourth year in a row that he avoided a losing record.

Slowed early in camp by a sore right hip, Tillman has allowed 10 runs and 16 hits over 9 2/3 innings in three Grapefruit League starts. He's walked seven batters and struck out 10.

"This might have been his best physical spring since he's been with us," Showalter said.

Tillman, who's 0-4 with a 4.82 ERA in six career outings versus the Twins, is slated to make one more start on Wednesday night against the Tigers in Sarasota. The game will air on MASN.

Gallardo is lined up to start on April 6 following the off-day. Jimenez is lined up as the No. 3 starter on April 7, though Showalter hasn't revealed his entire rotation.

Jimenez was supposed to start Friday's game in Philadelphia, but there's rain in the forecast and he might stay back in Sarasota to throw. A pitcher from minor league camp would be used as a replacement.