Showalter says Tillman still "in the options" to start

NEW YORK - As another game in the Bronx spiraled out of control for the Orioles, Chris Tillman rose from his seat in the visiting bullpen in the bottom of the eighth inning and began to warm up.

Tillman didn't pitch in Friday night's 8-2 loss, but he came close. Manager Buck Showalter was getting ready to make the move. Richard Bleier served up a home run to Greg Bird before recording the final out, and Tillman sat down.

Yesterday provided another chance for Tillman, who replaced starter Jeremy Hellickson with no outs in the fourth and held the Yankees to one run over three innings.

Showalter hadn't used Tillman since Sept. 8 in Cleveland, when the right-hander struck out the only batter he faced, catcher Roberto Pérez, to conclude the eighth inning in a 5-0 loss. His last start came on Sept. 3 against the Blue Jays at Camden Yards and lasted four innings.

What's the plan for Tillman over the last two weeks? Is there one that's etched in stone, or at least written in marker?

"We're trying to put our best foot forward every day, and Chris could be that," Showalter said before yesterday's game. "I would like to get him a start or some starts before the year is over, and I think that will present itself.

"He would have come in that game (Friday) night if we needed him to. Plus, I was trying to shorten up Richard so he's available. But I did want him to get hot and almost had like a work day.

"He's still very much in the options for us."

Ubaldo Jiménez gets another turn in the rotation today, Showalter's choice over Tillman for the series finale. He had a work day on Friday and takes the mound this afternoon, unsure whether he remains a starter or goes back to the bullpen. Ask and you shall receive a shrug.

Opponents batted .258 against Jimenez in the first half, but they've posted a .335 average since the break. He's made three appearances against the Yankees this season, twice as a starter, and allowed 11 earned runs (12 total) and 13 hits in 8 2/3 innings for an 11.42 ERA.

Jiménez is 4-6 with a 6.75 ERA and 1.710 WHIP in 14 career games against the Yankees, and 3-4 with a 6.37 ERA and 1.707 WHIP in eight starts in the Bronx.

Brett Gardner is 8-for-23 (.348) with a double and two home runs against Jiménez. Jacoby Ellsbury is 7-for-21 (.333) with a home run, and Matt Holliday is 6-for-16 (.375) with a home run.

CC Sabathia was the listed starter for today, which would have been the 42nd of his career against the Orioles, but Sonny Gray gets the assignment. Showalter said the club knew about the switch a few days ago.

The scouting report on Sabathia gets put back in the drawer. It goes something like this:

"Used to be a power arm, now more of a pitcher, relying on location and changing speeds and smarts."

Gray has registered a 2.66 ERA in eight starts with the Yankees. He pitched at Camden Yards on Sept. 7 and allowed an unearned run in 5 2/3 innings.

Tim Beckham is 5-for-10 with a double and a home run against Gray. Adam Jones is 5-for-14 with a double and a home run. Caleb Joseph is 3-for-9 with three doubles. Jonathan Schoop is 3-for-6.

Left-hander Tanner Scott will have his contract selected today from Double-A Bowie, and a pitcher will come off the 40-man roster.