Tillman's MRI doesn't show structural damage (minor leaguer suspended)

The Orioles received some good news this afternoon regarding pitcher Chris Tillman. A team official confirmed that the MRI on Tillman's right elbow revealed some inflammation in a nerve, but no structural damage. Manager Buck Showalter passed along the news to reporters in Toronto, and the interview will air on "O's Xtra," which begins at 6:30 p.m. on MASN2 HD. Tillman will work out with Double-A Bowie, which begins the Eastern League playoffs Wednesday night. He could make his next start, though that decision won't be made until he throws a bullpen session. With Jason Hammel being inserted into the rotation Thursday, Tillman could be pushed back to Saturday, providing an extra day of rest. Or manager Buck Showalter could do some more maneuvering and extend Tillman's rest period. The bullpen is loaded with former starters. Tillman left Sunday's start in New York after three innings and complained of an "achy" and "dead" elbow. He returned to Baltimore that night and the club scheduled his MRI for today. Tillman was 6-1 with a 3.67 ERA and five quality starts in his last eight outings before Sunday. NOTE: Left-hander Kevin Grendell, on the Gulf Coast League Orioles roster, has been suspended 50 games for testing positive for Dehydroepiandrosterone. Grendell, an 11th-round pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft out of San Pasqual High School in Escondido, Calif., was 0-4 with a 7.27 ERA in seven starts.