Baltimore Orioles: 3 free agent pitchers the Orioles should consider

The Baltimore Orioles roster is beginning to take shape except for the team’s starting rotation, an area Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette has yet to improve.

The Baltimore Orioles spring training is underway as a portion of the orioles roster, the pitchers and catchers, arrived earlier this week to Sarasota, FL at the exquisite Ed Smith Stadium. The rest of the Baltimore Orioles roster arrived to the Ed Smith Stadium complex today as the team’s first full-squad workout of Orioles spring training begin.

However, without warning came the devastating news that Orioles’ starting pitcher Chris Tillman, who has been the team’s Opening Day starter the past three season, will miss the start of the regular season, including Orioles 2017 Opening Day according to Orioles’ MASN reporter, Roch Kubtako.

The Orioles’ right-hander received a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection in his throwing shoulder two months ago after Tillman stated his concerns about his right shoulder to Orioles head athletic trainer Richie Bancells. Tillman is dealing with the same right shoulder injury that sent him to the disabled list late last season.

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With Tillman expected start the season on the disabled list, the Orioles now have significant starting pitching concerns as Orioles Opening Day nears.

Tillman’s injury now puts Kevin Gausman as the favorite to start Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In 2016, Gausman pitched his baseball post All-Star break going 8-6 in 15 starts, posting an ERA of 3.10 with 92 strikeouts.

After Gausman in the Orioles’ rotation includes the promising Dylan Bundy along with veterans Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jimenez. How about the dynamic duo of Miley and Jimenez? In a poll, we conducted on our Twitter page (follow us here) before the Tillman injury, 48 percent voted that the Orioles should try and replace either Miley or Jimenez.

Does Orioles vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette have any late offseason magic left for the O’s starting rotation?

Here are three starting pitchers still available and ways the Orioles could benefit from each one. Feel free to leave your three starting pitching options the Orioles should target in the comments.