Orioles ace Chris Tillman hits the DL
The Baltimore Orioles will have to hold their breath and hope for the best with their ace on the DL.
After shoulder soreness forced Baltimore Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman to skip a start last week, he made a brief return to the rotation and was shelled by the Houston Astros. Tillman gave up six runs in only two innings, while giving up six hits and walking five batters. His shoulder felt fine after the start, but was painful during his Tuesday afternoon bullpen session. With the pain still lingering, Tillman received a cortisone shot, and has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder inflammation.
“It’s tough,” said Tillman, who has been a workhorse for the Orioles since joining the rotation on a full-time basis in 2013. “I don’t like it, but it is what it is. It happened, and we’ve got to get better now. I think this is the best way to go about it, and we had talked about it a little. I’d rather feel better at the end of the season, rather than fighting it all year.”
Tillman has served as the de facto ace on a team whose rotation has held it back all year. He does not have outstanding stuff, and sabermetricians have always waited for him to stop defying statistical projections, but he manages to get the job done every fifth day. When the 6-foot-5 righty takes the mound, the Orioles are 20-6.
This injury could not have come at a worse time for the Birds, as an inconsistent second half has dropped them out of first place. The Orioles are 14-16 over their past 30 games, and hold a two-game lead over the Seattle Mariners for the American League’s second wild-card slot.
With Tillman on the shelf until at least Sept. 5, the Orioles will turn to Ubaldo Jimenez and hope for the best. Jimenez is 5-10 this year with a 6.94 ERA. He has been dropped from the rotation in favor of Wade Miley, and has also pitched poorly in relief. Shaky command has hampered Jimenez all season.
More from MLB
- MLB rumors: Nolan Arenado suitor, Tim Anderson landing spots, Mets reliever not enjoying trade talk
- MLB Rumors: Grading new trade fits for Shohei Ohtani, Braves, Willson Contreras
- Exclusive MLB Promos: $250 GUARANTEED Bonus for ANY Bet at DraftKings and FanDuel!
- MLB insider reveals why Shohei Ohtani trade is unlikely even if it’s right move
- MLB Rumors: Braves trade package, White Sox-Reds deal, Mets disaster
In his last outing, Jimenez gave up three runs and seven baserunners in only three innings of work. Fortunately for the Orioles, if there is a pitcher in the league capable of dialing up two unexpected solid starts in a row, it may be Jimenez, the picture of inconsistency so far during his three years in Baltimore. With a weak farm system short on capable prospects, there’s not much else the Orioles can do besides hand Ubaldo the ball, close their eyes and hope for the best.
As the Orioles hold their breath and hope that cortisone works its wonders on Tillman’s shoulder, their hopes hinge on young studs Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman, who have shut down the Washington Nationals on back-to-back nights. Bundy’s first season in the big leagues after shaking off years of injury problems has renewed hope that he can become the true ace the Orioles have been seeking since Mike Mussina bolted 16 years ago.
The Orioles have held their starting rotation together with duct tape and twine this season, and will have to continue doing so as they attempt to cover for Tillman until his shoulder recovers. If a third playoff berth in six seasons is to be grabbed by Buck Showalter’s crew, their staff leader will need to be back turning in quality starts as soon as possible.