Tillman to have cortisone shot in shoulder

Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman will receive a cortisone shot in his right shoulder – perhaps as early as today – manager Buck Showalter said Wednesday morning.

Tillman has not pitched in a game this spring and had his scheduled bullpen session shut down before it began Sunday because of lingering discomfort. He was supposed to pitch in his first spring game Friday, but that obviously won’t happen.

Tillman will be re-evaluated after the cortisone takes effect.

“Probably two or three days down and then see where we are with it,” Showalter said.

The other option was for Tillman, 28, to continue to rest, but Showalter said it was a decision made by Tillman, in concert with medical personnel, to have the shot. The hope is it will accelerate his return

Due to concern with what excessive cortisone can do to joints, Tillman will not be able undergo another cortisone shot for at least six months.

He had a platelet-rich plasma injection in December and was hoping that would allow him to be ready for spring training and Opening Day.

Showalter said there is no exact timetable for Tillman’s pending return, besides that he will not be ready for Opening Day. The club is still optimistic it can have him at some point in April – although he would have to get back on the mound soon to make that happen.

Tillman is a free agent at the end of this year.