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Orioles News: Chris Tillman Could Miss Next Start

By Joe Serpico

Jul 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman (30) looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Chris Tillman (30) looks on from the dugout during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Orioles pitcher Chris Tillman, the only reliable pitcher this team has had all season, could miss another start because of his shoulder injury.

Update: Tillman is headed to the DL and Jimenez will start Thursday.

The starting pitching for the Orioles has been shaky to say the least. The only consistent piece has been Chris Tillman, but Buck Showalter could be without his “ace” for his next start.

According to Roch Kubatko, Tillman’s pitching session did not go well on Tuesday and Showalter told reporters that the right hander could miss his next start on Thursday. That is troubling considering he was pushed back in last week’s series against the Boston Red Sox.

This is not good news for the O’s. We speculated in the latest episode of our podcast that something is wrong with Tillman and a trip to the disabled list might be the best move. The news today makes it seem like that could be a possibility.

Tillman never looked right when he took the mound Saturday against the Houston Astros. He gave up six runs and walked five batters in just two innings. He allowed a home run and hit a batter on a disastrous night for the pitching staff that ended with Ryan Flaherty pitching the ninth inning.

Showalter now must figure out who will take Tillman’s place on the rubber on Thursday. The two options on the roster are Ubaldo Jimenez and Vance Worley. They also could opt to bring Tyler Wilson or Mike Wright from the minors. None of the aforementioned names are close to the same level as Tillman.

Tillman was in the Cy Young discussion for much of the season, but his last five starts have been dreadful. He has a 6.66 ERA and batters are hitting .314 in those five appearances. That comes after four consecutive starts in which he pitched seven innings and allowed just one run.

Next: Battle of Beltway Could Determine O's Series

The Orioles are two games back in the American League East and has a one game lead for the final wild card spot. It is going to be tough for the O’s to keep up with the division without their Opening Day starter on the mound. September could be a rough month in Birdland.

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