Tillman's start Thursday in jeopardy due to shoulder

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

August 23, 2016, 12:40pm

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Chris Tillman may not make Thursday night's start for the Orioles following a work day this afternoon that brought more concerns about his right shoulder.

Manager Buck Showalter said Dr. Leigh Ann Curl is headed to Camden Yards to examine Tillman, who had his previous start pushed back to Saturday due to discomfort in the shoulder.

Showalter said the side session earlier today didn't go "as well as we expected it to."

Tillman didn't retire a batter in the third inning of Saturday's start and left with the Astros tallying six runs and six hits among his 67 pitches. Tillman told Showalter and the media that his shoulder was fine and noted the following day that he felt better than normal after a start.

The optimism has disappeared.

The Orioles can't afford to lose Tillman, who's 15-5 with a 3.76 ERA in 26 starts. The rotation already has its share of challenges, leading recently to multiple bullpen moves to find fresh arms for long relief.

Showalter said he'll decide on Wednesday whether Tillman can start the following night against the Nationals in D.C. The club will need to come up with an alternative just in case.

Reliever Darren O'Day is "getting better every day," Showalter said, but he won't be ready to come off the disabled list Saturday when eligible.