In a merciful decision, the Baltimore Orioles have finally designated Chris Tillman for assignment.
It was time. To be fair, it was probably time in 2017, when the Baltimore Orioles first banished Chris Tillman to the bullpen. However, given his track record before the disaster that was 2017, it was understandable that the Orioles hoped he could return to form. At a mere $3 million investment, Tillman was worth giving another chance.
However, somehow, he was worse this season. Before hitting the disabled list, he posted a horrendous 10.46 ERA and a 2.213 WHiP in 26.2 innings, walking 17 batters with only 13 strikeouts. He was slightly less awful in the minors, with a 6.75 ERA and a 1.800 WHiP. In those 26.2 innings, he has 12 walks with his 13 strikeouts. The Orioles had to do something, and finally have.
The Orioles have selected the contract of INF Renato Núñez from Triple-A Norfolk and RHP Chris Tillman has been reinstated from the 10-day disabled list and has been designated for assignment. #Birdland
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) July 20, 2018
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Of course, the Orioles are saying all the right things, saying that they are willing to let Tillman pitch in the minors in a hope that he can find himself once again. And yet, one has to wonder exactly what, if anything, is left for the former All Star. That shoulder injury that he suffered at the beginning of the 2017 campaign has led to a loss of velocity, and a major decrease in effectiveness.
The Orioles, and any potentially interested team, will dream of a return to his previous form. From 2012 through 2016, Tillman was a solid top of the rotation arm, posting a 65-33 record with a 3.81 ERA and a 1.253 WHiP. He made 30 or more starts in four consecutive years, and struck out 655 batters with only 288 walks in 844.2 innings.
But those days seem so far away now. Tillman has become another disappointment in what has been a horrendous year and a half for the Orioles. Now that there is no alternative but to fully embrace the rebuild, it was time to stop looking at the past. That included Tillman, whose time had truly come far before now.
The Baltimore Orioles have moved on from Chris Tillman. It was a merciful decision, albeit one that should have been made last year.