Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will make his spring training debut Tuesday in a road game against the Toronto Blue Jays, a decision made necessary by his need for innings after a hip strain but contrary to manager Buck Showalter’s previous desire to keep his starters away from division opponents.
Traditionally, Showalter went to great lengths to keep his starting pitchers off the mound against the teams they would face often during the season. They’d pitch in minor league games, simulated games or B games instead.
But Showalter said Tillman, who pitched two scoreless innings in a B game but was out of game action for nearly two weeks because of a hip flexor strain, has more to gain from facing a Blue Jays lineup that has been a pain to him in recent years than in any other available circumstance.