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Baltimore Orioles: Should there be concern over early injuries?

By Nate Wardle

Mar 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA;Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter (26) looks on from the dugout during the first inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Aug 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher /

Chris Tillman, SP

Last year’s team leader in wins, Chris Tillman has started long tossing but has not returned to pitching yet from the shoulder soreness that caused him to get a platelet-rich plasma injection in December.

The concern here is that it is the same shoulder that caused him to go on the disabled list in 2016, and he admitted the shoulder was never really the same the rest of the way.

Tillman doesn’t need to be ready for Opening Day, and in fact, it may be beneficial for Kevin Gausman to be the Opening Day starter.

But, all signs point to a positive recovery and things improving.

With it still February, and the Orioles not needing a fifth pitcher until the middle of April, the Orioles can afford to take it slow.

When a team’s outcome is based on the starting pitching’s effectiveness, the fact their most consistent and most durable starter is dealing with a lingering injury is concerning until he is healthy and throwing again.

Worry level – 4/10

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