King Felix to miss 3-4 weeks with shoulder bursitis

Felix Hernandez, the ailing Seattle Mariners ace who landed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday with right biceps tendinitis, is expected to miss three-to-four weeks after being diagnosed with bursitis in his throwing shoulder, general manager Jerry Dipoto announced Tuesday.

Hernandez, who missed nearly eight weeks earlier this year due to shoulder inflammation, experienced renewed arm discomfort during his July 31 start in Texas, prompting him to fly back to Seattle for an examination by team doctors. Now, the surging Mariners - one game back of the second American League wild-card spot - will likely be without him until September.

"It's hard," designated hitter Nelson Cruz told MLB.com's Greg Johns after Hernandez was placed on the DL. "But we can't expect to go the whole year without losing key players. You never want to see that. We faced it early this year and last year. You never prepare for that, but there's nothing you can do but go out and play and try to do your best."

Marco Gonzales, acquired two weeks ago from the St. Louis Cardinals, started Sunday in Hernandez's stead, allowing five earned runs on seven hits and one walk over four innings in an eventual 8-7 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Hernandez, the 2010 American League Cy Young award winner, has struggled this season, recording a 4.28 ERA - his worst since 2006 - and a 1.36 WHIP over 13 starts.