Tillman impresses throwing live BP (and other notes)

Chris Tillman threw 25-30 pitches this morning in live batting practice in Sarasota and the reports on him are positive. Still no discomfort in his right shoulder.

Tillman used all of his pitches and the Orioles will check how he's feeling Sunday morning.

The plan still calls for Tillman to go two innings/30 pitches Tuesday in an extended spring training game in Sarasota. Showalter said Tillman's first start with an affiliate will come at Double-A Bowie, but the right-hander will move around before he comes off the disabled list, which the Orioles hope will happen next month.

Showalter said he wants to get Tillman back in "this environment" rather than have him stay down in Florida. He also cautioned that his ace still isn't where he needs to be in order to pitch in the majors, including his velocity, but that's not unusual. It's a process.

Closer Zach Britton said his right ankle is fine and he joked that Showalter and head athletic trainer Richie Bancells paid him a "courtesy mound visit" last night. Britton rolled the ankle and fell while trying to field Gary Sánchez's comebacker because he also was trying to avoid a piece of broken bat.

Showalter will monitor Britton during batting practice as the left-hander throws on flat ground.

Showalter conceded that he likely will have to eliminate a reliever and bench player as the Orioles activate left-hander Wade Miley from the disabled list on Sunday and bring up a fifth starter on April 15. He added that all of the fifth-starter candidates remain in play, and mentioned Gabriel Ynoa, Jayson Aquino, Mike Wright and Alec Asher.

Two or three of the pitchers will still be in the running as the date nears. In the meantime, Aquino is scheduled to start Sunday for Triple-A Norfolk, followed by Asher on Monday, Wright on Tuesday and Ynoa on Wednesday.

Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander, on the disabled list with a sore right elbow, is swinging the bat again with no restrictions. However, he still hasn't been cleared to throw.

The Orioles will need to make a decision on Santander at some point. They want to keep him in the organization rather than risk losing him on waivers or offering him back to the Indians, but it's going to be difficult.

Showalter and executive vice president Dan Duquette have discussed various scenarios.

For the Yankees
Brett Gardner LF
Gary Sánchez C
Matt Holliday DH
Chris Carter 1B
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Starlin Castro 2B
Chase Headley 3B
Aaron Hicks RF
Ronald Torreyes SS

Masahiro Tanaka RHP