Dan Connolly

Tillman could make start versus Detroit on Sept. 11 (and other O’s notes)

Orioles manager Buck Showalter said Friday afternoon that Chris Tillman (shoulder) is progressing well and, if that continues, will come off the disabled list and start for the Orioles on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers.

He is scheduled to throw side sessions on Sunday and Wednesday, a light catch on Friday, Sept. 9 and then the game on the 11th.

If he doesn’t suffer any setbacks, Tillman conceivably could make five starts for the Orioles before the season ends – which would be huge for the club to have its ace on the mound that many times down the stretch.

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In that scenario, Tillman still would have an outside chance to become the Orioles’ first 20-game winner since Mike Boddicker in 1984. Tillman, who currently has 15 victories, would have to win all five starts – if he gets that many – to match Boddicker.

More realistically, Tillman has a chance to surpass his season high in wins – 16 set in 2013.

Some other O’s notes:

** Outfielder Joey Rickard had his thumb examined today and was cleared by doctors to begin baseball activities. Rickard was moved to the 60-day DL on Wednesday and so he cannot be eligible to return until Sept. 19. Showalter said that’s around the time the rookie would be ready to play anyway.

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** Showalter said reliever Darren O’Day will throw a side session from a half-mound Sunday as he attempts to return from a right shoulder strain. The bullpen has struggled getting to closer Zach Britton and could use O’Day’s presence and stability in the seventh and eighth innings.

** There could be more minor leaguers joining the club this month with the rosters expanded. Showalter mentioned several possibilities including Triple-A infielder Paul Janish, outfielder Dariel Alvarez and right-hander Mike Wright. Alvarez is dealing with some leg issues and Wright is scheduled to start Norfolk’s final game Monday. Showalter said Double-A Bowie outfielders Chris Dickerson and Julio Borbon also may get a call-up this month.

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Dan Connolly

Dan Connolly has spent more than two decades as a print journalist in Pennsylvania and Maryland. The Baltimore native and Calvert Hall graduate first covered the Orioles as a beat writer for the York (Pennsylvania) Daily Record in 2001 before becoming The Baltimore Sun’s national baseball writer/Orioles reporter in 2005. He has won multiple state and national writing awards, including several from the Associated Press Sports Editors. In 2013 he was named Maryland Co-Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association. And in 2015, he authored his first book, "100 Things Orioles Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die." He lives in York, with his wife, Karen, and three children, Alex, Annie, and Grace.