Tillman's slow starts, Steve Johnson update, today's roster move and more

The outcome of tonight's game between the Orioles and Royals may be determined in the first few innings. Chris Tillman takes the mound tonight at Kauffman Stadium. In the first two innings of his eight starts in 2014, Tillman has posted a 7.31 ERA by allowing 13 earned runs in 16 innings. From the third inning on, he's posted a 2.27 ERA by allowing eight earned runs over 31 2/3 innings. Pitcher Steve Johnson underwent an MRI on his right shoulder yesterday in Baltimore that didn't reveal any damage beyond the normal wear and tear. Johnson received a cortisone injection for the inflammation and will be shut down for a while. Johnson was placed on the disabled list last month with shoulder tendinitis. He left his most recent start at Triple-A Norfolk after two innings because of the discomfort. The timing could be better, since the Orioles are shuttling relievers back and forth from the minors and have sought a right-handed long man. Today's roster move is confusing because it involves the word "designated." However, reliever Evan Meek remains in the organization and will be assigned to Norfolk after he clears option waivers. There's sort of an agreement among teams not to claim players on option waivers. I've written about it in the past, though I always need a refresher course. Has something to do with his major league debut happening more than three seasons ago. The Orioles recalled Meek yesterday to provide additional support for their bullpen. Brad Brach wasn't eligible to be recalled until today. Hence, the roster move. I wrote earlier today that Johan Santana threw 51 pitches in 2 2/3 innings in another extended spring training start. The Orioles want to build up his innings a little more before assigning him to a minor league affiliate. Technically, it wouldn't be an injury rehab assignment because he signed a minor league deal. A team official said the Orioles are collaborating with Santana on an assignment. My guess is they've also discussed pushing back his May 30 opt-out date. I'm also told that Dylan Bundy, who's throwing live batting practice, is "almost ready" to start pitching in extended spring training games. Bundy threw 20 pitches Tuesday in his first live bullpen session and his fastball touched 93 mph, an impressive jump in velocity. Bundy used all of his pitches. According to the game notes provided by the Orioles' PR staff, the Royals have held the Orioles to three runs or fewer in each of their last seven meetings. Baltimore has averaged just two runs per game during that span since July 23, 2013 and has lost five of seven. The last time Kansas City held the Orioles to three runs or fewer in eight straight games was July 26, 1987-July 30, 1988. The Orioles totaled 14 runs and lost all eight games. Zach Britton became the first Orioles left-hander last night to record a save since Michael Gonzalez on July 16, 2011 against the Indians. Britton is the 45th left-hander to save a game for the club and the 165th Oriole. Darren O'Day (0.54) and Britton (0.81) rank second and third, respectively, in relievers ERA in the American League. O'Day hasn't allowed a run in his last nine appearances over 9 1/3 innings, walking one and striking out eight. Britton has made eight straight scoreless relief appearances over 7 1/3 innings, with two walks and six strikeouts. According to STATS, the Orioles are the only AL team with two relievers with at least 15 innings pitched and ERAs below 1.00. Nelson Cruz accounted for the only Orioles runs last night with his 12th home run of the season. It marked the sixth time this year that all of the Orioles' runs in a game scored on home runs. According to Elias, the Giants lead the majors with seven such games, while the Orioles, Braves, Rockies, Astros and Pirates have six. After losing their first two games in Detroit, the Orioles have won 12 of their last 18 games away from home. They're on pace to go 49-32 on the road this season, a win total that has been eclipsed by only the 1997 team (52-29) over the last 33 seasons. The Orioles are 16-8 in night games, the best record in the majors, and 5-10 in day games, which ties them with Arizona (5-10) for the second-lowest win percentage behind the Cubs (6-13).