Tillman hoping shoulder injury is "in the rearview mirror"

Nothing much to report this afternoon from Camden Yards. The game will have to provide the storyline.

Chris Tillman will throw a bullpen session on Sunday, as reported yesterday. His right shoulder feels good and this is a significant step as he prepares for a Sept. 11 start in Detroit.

"I think tomorrow's going to be a big day for me. We'll see how it goes," Tillman said.

Having a target date brings some comfort, but "I go day-to-day," Tillman said. "I'm not looking too far ahead. I want to feel good today and feel good tomorrow and we go from there.

"I think the way it's been going has been pretty positive."

Tillman is at the stage where much of his focus centers on regaining his timing. He hasn't pitched since Aug. 20.

"Yeah, I think so," he said. "I hope it's in the rearview mirror. I feel like it is as of right now, but I hate to put that 100 percent term on it because you never know. We'll see what tomorrow brings."

Tillman doesn't believe that going on the disabled list this late in the season makes his situation worse. There are no ideal times to be sidelined.

"I think it would be frustrating if he happened anytime in the year," he said. "Bad timing, yeah, but I like to take the ball every fifth day. That's what I pride myself on and it's not fun in general."

At least the rotation is on another impressive roll with three quality starts against the Blue Jays and Dylan Bundy's 5 2/3 scoreless innings last night.

"They've been throwing the ball well," Tillman said. "It's been fun, but you always like to do your job. I'm here to pitch, not sit around and do nothing. I get bored really quickly and it drives me nuts."

Now that left-hander Kyle Lobstein cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk, he will join the group in Sarasota for workouts and stay ready in case he's needed later.

The Orioles acquired Lobstein from the Pirates on Wednesday for left-hander Zach Phillips and designated him for assignment to clear a 40-man spot for outfielder Drew Stubbs.

The Angels claimed left-hander Ashur Tolliver off waivers after the Orioles designated him to make room for Lobstein.

"It's disappointing, but he's going to get a good opportunity for the Angels," said manager Buck Showalter. "Knowing Ashur, that's something he deserves. He's a guy that can help. I'm sure they'll like him."

Caleb Joseph is catching Kevin Gausman tonight. I wrote this morning that Matt Wieters is 7-for-46 lifetime against Yankees left-hander CC Sabathia.

Is this a vital month for Joseph after the Orioles optioned him on Aug. 22? He was batting .193/.240/.211 with no home runs or RBIs.

"Not really," Showalter said. "I know what he's capable of. He's got a strong track record, not necessarily a lot at the big league level. This is about catching, throwing and putting down fingers. It's gotten to the point where with Frankie (Pena) here and Matt having the new baby that we thought it was a good opportunity to give him some at-bats.

"I've got a long memory. Caleb's got some big hits for us. We like having him up there in big situations. It's not like he's some pure-only defensive guy. He's gotten some big hits for us.

"If you want to use the word 'vital,' there's a lot of other things going on in his life that might be vital. He's going to be a big league catcher next year."

Here are the starters for the series against the Rays in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Monday: Ubaldo Jimenez vs. Matt Andriese
Tuesday: Yovani Gallardo vs. Jake Odorizzi
Wednesday: Dylan Bundy vs. Drew Smyly

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Gary Sanchez C
Didi Gregorius SS
Starlin Castro 2B
Brian McCann C
Mark Teixeira 1B
Aaron Judge RF
Ronald Torreyes 3B

CC Sabathia CC