masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgChris Tillman says he’s felt good for a few days after making a couple plays in the field during his last start that caused discomfort in his right groin, but the Orioles are being cautious and skipping him in the rotation until next Saturday.

Tillman is available to pitch in relief tonight, but only if manager Buck Showalter has to use him.

“I can’t pinpoint an exact time, but it happened during the last game (Monday) around the second inning,” Tillman said. “There were a few things…Chris Tillman says he’s felt good for a few days after making a couple plays in the field during his last start that caused discomfort in his right groin, but the Orioles are being cautious and skipping him in the rotation until next Saturday.

Tillman is available to pitch in relief tonight, but only if manager Buck Showalter has to use him.

“I can’t pinpoint an exact time, but it happened during the last game (Monday) around the second inning,” Tillman said. “There were a few things that led up to it. That slip didn’t help, when I went down. One of the times when I was backing up home, I slipped on a bat. That probably didn’t help, either. There was a few times last game where I felt it pretty good.

“It’s not my first time having it. I’ve pitched through it in the past, but I think with us young guys, they want to make sure we’re all healthy. They want to get it right.”

Tillman would have started tomorrow if not for last night’s postponement, which allowed Showalter to skip him and give the injury more time to heal.

“It’s a lot disappointing,” Tillman said. “I’m not happy about it, but I think it’s an issue that, if we don’t take care of it, it can be a lot longer then. I think history has proven that. I’d rather get it out of the way now than have to deal with it throughout the whole season.

“This is actually my third time and it’s actually the less (painful) it’s been of the three, but in the past, I’ve tried to throw through it. It’s been something that’s nagged me quite a bit. Definitely not fun pitching through.”

It’s no great joy asking a guy about his groin, either.

Here’s the Yankees lineup:
Derek Jeter SS
Curtis Granderson CF
Mark Teixeira 1B
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Robinson Cano 2B
Nick Swisher RF
Jorge Posada DH
Russell Martin C
Brett Gardner LF

CC Sabathia LHP