Tillman to start Game 2 of doubleheader

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

June 25, 2014, 12:25pm

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Orioles manager Buck Showalter has chosen Chris Tillman to start Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader against the Rays at Camden Yards.

Tillman and Bud Norris threw bullpen sessions this afternoon. Norris' groin injury continues to improve, but Showalter said the right-hander was "still a little tentative."

Norris, who had been slated to start Game 2, can be pushed back as far at Tuesday.

The discomfort is more pronounced when Norris pitches from the stretch rather than the windup.

For now, the Orioles' rotation is listed as TBA for Saturday and Sunday. As I wrote earlier today, Alex Colome and Jake Odorizzi will start Friday for the Rays, with Erik Bedard pitching Saturday and Alex Cobb on Sunday.

Third baseman Manny Machado's hearing today at the warehouse lasted about an hour. The Orioles are hoping that the suspension begins after the doubleheader.

The Orioles are prepared to rush an infielder to Baltimore while sending down a pitcher to create room on the roster. A player will report to Double-A Bowie, which will be in Richmond this weekend, and remain in relatively close proximity to Camden Yards.

There are people in the organization who believe the suspension will be reduced to four games. Others, including Machado, are optimistic that it will be reduced to two or three games.