SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman is on track to begin pitchers fielding practice on Friday morning, exactly as the Orioles planned while setting up his spring schedule.

Tillman has only been cleared to play catch after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right shoulder back in December.

Zach Britton had no discomfort in his left side after playing catch yesterday.

"He feels good. He's right on schedule," said manager Buck Showalter.

Relievers Darren O'Day and Brad Brach threw yesterday in simulated games on one of the back fields. Showalter is slow-playing them by waiting before putting them in Grapefruit League games.

"Actually, they've got a chance for their first game out here to be the same time Britton's doing it," Showalter said. "Probably pitch Zach in a sim game on the back field before we go here. We're slowing some of those guys down this spring because of how long spring is."

Rule 5 pick Anthony Santander, recovered from right shoulder surgery, probably won't play in the field until the middle of March. He's been serving as the designated hitter. However, the shoulder allows him to bat from both sides of the plate.

"He'll do some things that will give us a good look at him, but I still want to see him some in a game," Showalter said. "We also have the minor leagues starting, so we'll be able to do that, too. If we do that, we'll send someone over there with him."

Aneury Tavárez will play left field and lead off Tuesday against the Phillies in Clearwater.

The Orioles ran their popup drill today on the stadium field with crowd noise piped in from Camden Yards. It always shakes up the neighborhood. House alarms have been triggered in the past.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is playing his last game today before joining Team Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic. He must fly to South Korea.

"Taking a lot of energy bars, crackers. He's loading up for healthy snacks," Showalter said.

"I've been to South Korea once and I gave him a little heads up. I'm sure some things have changed since I've been there. I said, 'I hope you like curry because you're going to get a lot of it.' Everything's got curry on it. Corn Flakes, everything."

Showalter has been in contact with Netherlands manager Hensley Meulens, one of his former players with the Yankees.

"Hensley asked me about any limitations on Jon," Showalter said. "I asked him what he was planning on doing with him. He's planning on rotating those guys around. I really appreciate the call from Hensley. We're proud of Jon. I know it's a big moment for him. He takes a lot of pride in that."

The players set to leave camp understand the importance of staying healthy and fulfilling their first obligation - playing for the Orioles and trying to win a championship.

"If you play with caution, you're more likely to get hurt. If he just plays in the way he normally does ... He's a very durable player, knock on wood," Showalter said

"It's an emotional game for them. This means a lot to them. I'm not going to take that away from them, but I'd rather him play full-out than be cautious. That's where a lot of the injuries come in. If he just follows what he's been doing, he should be OK."

Showalter is losing six players to the WBC.

"The positives are a lot bigger than the drawbacks," he said. "People smarter than me are trying to grow the game globally. It's a reminder we're not in this alone. When we say these are the best players in the world, it is the world. There are some unique challenges this spring that we don't normally have. I understand the return we're trying to get.

"The biggest thing probably is the clock that changes. Players are creatures of habit and routine and every team is completely different because they're going to come back from this, and we're going to have to slow down and start the clock again. I think the way they've got it set up for the pitchers, there's a real protection there. I think it's the position players as much as the pitchers. We'll have a conversation when they get back. Some of them will be quicker than others. They can't all win."

Showalter provided the usual reminder of "where the finish line is."

"You know how much pride Adam (Jones) has got," Showalter said. "To be the center fielder for the United States team is a heck of a thing, and he wants to be good at it. That's why you see me play them a little more innings.

"(Welington) Castillo would never catch again today, but he wants to. All the catchers they had to pick from the Dominican, they picked Welington. He takes a lot of pride in that.

"We're trying to give them as many at-bats as they can get. Yesterday, I asked them if they need more, and they said they had plenty."

Ubaldo Jiménez is starting today against the Yankees and the list of available pitchers behind him includes Parker Bridwell, Oliver Drake, Donnie Hart, Jed Bradley and Vidal Nuño.

Mike Wright opposes the Phillies' Clay Buchholz on Tuesday in Clearwater, and Dylan Bundy opposes Red Sox left-hander Henry Owens on Wednesday at Ed Smith Stadium.

Showalter, the coaches, instructors and players wore orange LUNGevity t-shirts during batting practice in memory of former public relations director Monica Barlow, who died on Feb. 28, 2014 after a prolonged and courageous battle with Stage 4 lung cancer. The club is on the road Tuesday and chose to break out the shirts this morning.

Many of the players in camp weren't around during Barlow's tenure.

"I had that conversation with them out there before we started, about, 'Some of you guys weren't here. I want to tell you a little something about Monica, why we're wearing these t-shirts today,'" Showalter said.

"Even in her death, she's able to impact so many people, alive and passed on. I don't think we'll ever forget her and I know I won't. But I also wanted some people to understand why we're doing this and the impact it has."