Updating Tillman's bullpen session

The Orioles will place pitcher Chris Tillman on the disabled list as one of their remaining moves before finalizing an opening day roster that must be set by noon Sunday. In the meantime, he's making the necessary progress toward joining the rotation by early May.

A big step was completed today with Tillman throwing about 20 pitches off an indoor mound at Camden Yards, his first bullpen session since receiving a cortisone injection in his right shoulder on March 15. I'm told that Tillman felt good and the Orioles were pleased with it.

Tillman played catch outside before moving to the mound. He previously had been limited to games of catch from 60-90 feet and Thursday's long-tossing in Sarasota.

Tillman will repeat his bullpen sessions on Monday and Wednesday at Camden Yards, fly back down to Sarasota to throw live batting practice on April 8 and pitch in an extended spring training game on April 11.

Manager Buck Showalter told reporters yesterday in Norfolk that Tillman will pitch in the minors on April 17, 22 and 27, lining him up for a return to the Orioles on May 2. Tillman, whose streak of opening day starts ends at three, could stay longer on the farm if he needs more outings.

"I feel better with what I'm seeing and feeling, even his face and body language now as opposed to the last time we did it," Showalter said yesterday. "But I'll feel a lot better when he takes that hard side day and recovers for a work day. Then we're on our way."

Kevin Gausman will start against the Blue Jays in Monday's opener at Camden Yards, followed by Dylan Bundy on Wednesday. Ubaldo Jiménez will start Friday's series opener against the Yankees at Camden Yards, followed by Gausman on Saturday and left-hander Wade Miley on Sunday after he's activated from the disabled list.

Tillman, Miley and Rule 5 outfielder Anthony Santander will go on the DL Sunday. Rule 5 outfielder Aneury Tavárez will come off the 40-man roster to create a spot for outfielder Craig Gentry. Pitchers Gabriel Ynoa and Jayson Aquino will be optioned, leaving the Orioles with 25 players on opening day - 14 positions players and 11 pitchers, including eight relievers.