Tillman receives cortisone shot for shoulder

March 15th, 2017

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Orioles right-hander Chris Tillman received a cortisone shot on his right shoulder Wednesday, manager Buck Showalter said. Tillman, who has not pitched this spring because of a sore right shoulder, will be reevaluated in two or three days.
"It was something he and they were contemplating, so they decided to go in that direction," Showalter said.
"We put all the options out there to him, and let him decide what he wants to do."
Last month, Showalter said that Tillman had been ruled out for an Opening Day assignment, but said that he hoped he would be able to pitch in the season's first week. The Orioles don't need a fifth starter until April 15.

Tillman had been tentatively scheduled to make his first Grapefruit League start on Friday, but that possibility vanished when he had a rough bullpen session on March 8, and had to abort another one on Sunday.
Showalter said that after a few days of rest, Tillman felt a lot better, and he hopes that the cortisone shot will be the final boost he needs to be ready to pitch early in the season.
"I think we increased our chances," Showalter said. "If he comes out of this and feels normal, everything he's done to get to this point won't go away. It could move quickly then, but not Opening Day," Showalter said.
Meanwhile, outfielder Seth Smith continues to be slowed by a right hamstring injury.
"He's not progressing as quick as we'd hoped. He didn't have a setback. He's just staying the same. We're continuing to slow play that," Showalter said. "We've got plenty of time."