Early notes on Tillman, Harvey, Bundy and more

SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles brought last year's second-round pick, left-hander Keegan Akin, from minor league camp as an extra pitcher for today's game against the Red Sox.

First-rounder Cody Sedlock worked an inning yesterday in Clearwater and gave up four runs on two home runs. Manager Buck Showalter had a brief conversation with him later and sensed that the kid was fine.

"I think so. What do I know?" Showalter said. "I didn't see anything different. Maybe it was good for him. But he's not the type of kid who came in here thinking he was just going to throw his glove out there. It's a hard time to pitch this time of year."

Chris Tillman threw off a flat mound this morning - the pitching rubber distinguishes it from the outfield - and is scheduled to throw off a half mound Friday and a full mound on Sunday.

"I went back there for a little bit of it and it looked like it was going good," Showalter said.

Tillman still isn't expected to be the opening day starter, ending his streak of three consecutive seasons.

"I know the scheduling and that's barring any setbacks," Showalter said.

Top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey is making significant progress following ligament-reconstructive surgery on his right elbow.

"If he follows suit, he's pitching in July in a competitive game somewhere," Showalter said.

"He and Dylan (Bundy) got a lot of similarities in their background, even the age when they had it, the timeframe, when the actual surgery took place. There's a lot of similarities, but you don't say, 'OK, they're exactly the same.' They're two different guys.

"Harvey's rehab is going real well over there. They had to really keep the reins on him."

Bundy threw 109 2/3 innings last season and the Orioles will provide the chance for a significant increase. Just don't try to pin down Showalter on an exact total.

"The difference is the governors were on him the first half of the season in the bullpen and now he's going to start," Showalter said. "We'll still pick our spots to give him a little blow here and there. We're not going to jump 120 (additional) innings. I hope we have that decision to make, but ... But we do that with all of them.

"Unlike a lot of other clubs, we can't go buy another one and buy another one and buy another one. We have to protect our assets, and they're our pitchers and our players. I don't apologize for being cautious with them. But right now he's going to be one of our four pitchers coming out of camp."

Showalter recounted the conversation he had with outfielder Chris Dickerson last summer at Dodger Stadium that led to the minor league deal.

"I just kind of asked him what's he doing in street clothes,' " Showalter said.

"Chris is an impressive athlete, this guy is 6-3, 230 lbs. with a body fat of 6 (percent). He's got five tools. He had some injuries he was fighting his way through and just never got to the point where somebody was willing to rehab him and do all the stuff to get him to this point. So he was a guy that we really targeted last year.

"Brady (Anderson) has got a great relationship with him, stays in touch with him. Just felt like he's one of those guys that slips through the cracks a lot of time. He was a big contributor for us a couple of years ago. He's a guy who stays in great shape.

"The conversation went deeper than that. I told him to get himself ready to go and we'll see you in the spring. In fact, we tried to push the envelope on it a little bit last spring. He's a piece. He can defend at three positions. He's made three or four plays down here not many people make already. He's a plus-runner. He's not afraid to go. He still runs well. He's another depth guy for us, and sometimes those guys work into more of the picture than that."

Dickerson turns 35 next month and the Orioles naturally continue to monitor his health and try to determine whether there's been any slippage in his skill set.

"As we all get older, do you still possess those skills that make you that piece? So far, he's done more than show that." Showalter said.

"The challenge for Chris has been when he's playing consistently, staying healthy and on the field. That's why we're playing him a lot, trying to make sure that that part of the equation is there. And if it is, we're in good shape."

Dickerson almost threw out a runner yesterday from right field, proving that his surgically repaired right shoulder has healed and it doesn't restrict him.

"That's a big throw, and he's also playing fearlessly," Showalter said. "The line drive he caught in front of him yesterday, how many guys in spring training will attempt that ball? He's trying to make the club and he's wanting to show those things. And he's playing with his hair on fire every day here."

The scout list numbered eight yesterday and clear water and is up to 12 today in Sarasota. Word has spread that the Orioles' camp roster includes 12 outfielders and a group of veteran infielders who provide depth.

The list of available pitchers today also includes Brad Brach, left-hander Richard Bleier, Jesús Liranzo, Gabriel Ynoa and Richard Rodríguez.