Dan Connolly

Quick Orioles’ notes: Rickard, Tillman, Britton, Smith, battling the rain

The Orioles look to be on their way to getting healthier at the big league level.

Outfielder Joey Rickard (left middle finger) was slated to play for Low-A Delmarva today, the start of an injury rehab assignment. Rickard initially was supposed to play with Double-A Bowie in Richmond today, but that game was rained out. Orioles manager Buck Showalter talked to Delmarva manager Ryan Minor and said he thought the Shorebirds had a solid chance of playing Monday’s game.

Rickard likely will play at Delmarva on Tuesday as well. Showalter said the organization thought about moving Rickard to a higher level, but, again, rain is in the forecast throughout the region. Rickard may not need more than two games before returning to the Orioles.

Right-hander Chris Tillman (right shoulder) said he has felt no discomfort after his last start at Double-A Harrisburg and hopes for a 75-pitch outing Thursday for High-A Frederick at Potomac. He admitted that he feels like he is basically going through spring training – he missed the exhibition season due to the injury – but is now nearing the end of that period. Tillman could return May 2 – the next time the Orioles’ need a fifth starter – but he said he won’t know how realistic that is until after his outing Thursday.

Closer Zach Britton (left forearm) was waiting before Monday’s game to be examined by a hand specialist, but he played catch and feels fine. Assuming he is cleared today, he’ll throw a full side session off a mound Wednesday. The next step after that has not been determined, but Britton likely will pitch in at least one minor-league rehab game before re-joining the Orioles.

Outfielder Seth Smith (right hamstring) was back in the lineup today against Tampa Bay. He hadn’t played since Tuesday in Cincinnati.

Showalter said he expects there to be rain throughout the night tonight, but there is hope they’ll get the game in. Tuesday’s forecast also calls for rain.

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.

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Boog Robinson Robinson says:

April 25, 2017 at 7:04 am

Do they really want Rickard on the Orioles roster at this point? If so, who's the odd man out? Gentry? I'm thinking Rickard must have some minor league options left. Maybe the best thing for him at this point is playing everyday for Norfolk. At least until he's needed.

OK...so for all the Dan Duquette haters out there, who would have thought 5 years ago that the O's would have a crowded roster dilemma like this? This is the mark of a savvy GM in my opinion.

AND DAN !!! Is there a new media on the horizon for you? You looked like a natural last night on MASN!
- Dan Connolly says:
  
  April 25, 2017 at 11:45 am
  
  I think I'll always have the face for newspaper. But I appreciate the kind words Boog.
  - Boog Robinson Robinson says:
    
    April 25, 2017 at 1:01 pm
    
    Hey, I'm not being kind, you did really well. Looked right into that camera, and it was as if you were talking directly to me. I expect to see more of you!