Pregame notes on Chris Tillman, the roster and more

NORFOLK, Va. - The very cloudy and rainy skies we saw here for most of this morning have brightened a bit, and the Orioles and Triple-A Norfolk Tides are going to play their exhibition game here today as scheduled. It is starting just a few minutes later than the original scheduled start. First pitch is set for 3:15 p.m.

Orioles reliever Darren O'Day is not here with the team. He stayed in Florida with a strong case of the flu. Manager Buck Showalter expects O'Day to be with the Orioles for opening day on Monday, but he did not guarantee it.

With the opener approaching, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said this afternoon that he doesn't expect the Orioles to make any roster additions before first pitch on Monday.

"We are always working to build the roster, but I think we have the people with us to start the season," Duquette said. "You never know, but I think we're in pretty good shape with the people we had in camp. Hopefully we picked the right players to help us get off to a fast start."

Right-hander Chris Tillman, who will start the season on the disabled list, did some throwing yesterday in Florida and has a more coming up tomorrow. So far, so good for Tillman.

"It's going well," Tillman said this afternoon. "Threw yesterday, it went really well. I think the plan is I have a bullpen tomorrow and I'm not sure (of) the next step after that. But it's going well."

Tillman said he was encouraged by his latest throwing session.

"Yeah, I'd like to say so," he said. "You never know how those first couple of days are going to go. You expect it to go well and when it does, that's a big, big positive, and I take a lot of positive things from that."

Tillman is expected to have bullpen sessions on Monday and next Wednesday at Camden Yards. He'll fly back to Sarasota and throw live batting practice on April 8 before pitching in his first game on April 11 at extended spring training.

Showalter told reporters at a Harbor Park press conference how much he loves the Orioles' relationship with its Triple-A affiliate and manager Ron Johnson.

"They do a great job here of understanding the way it works," Showalter said. "(Losing players to Baltimore) is something Frederick, Delmarva and Bowie don't have to go through much. You don't have this in pro football, but the dynamic between Triple-A and the major leagues is important. The cooperation we have here has meant Ws insteads of Ls on some given nights.

"I think he's the best Triple-A manager in baseball, in terms of understanding the job and what the priorities are. I think it's one of the hardest jobs in sports, Triple-A manager. He has a great culture here and treats people right."