Orioles place Tillman on DL with shoulder discomfort

The Baltimore Orioles' starting rotation took a big hit, as starter Chris Tillman was put on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder discomfort, the team announced.

Tillman received a cortisone injection for his ailing shoulder Tuesday, and said he hopes to be ready when he's first eligible to come off the DL on Sept. 5.

"It's tough," Tillman told reporters. "You don't like it, but you know, it is what it is. It's happened and we have to get better now, but I think this is the best way to go about it and we talked about it a little bit. I'd rather feel better at the end of the season than fighting it all year."

The Orioles ace was scratched from his most recent start, marking the second time in two weeks he's been unavailable. He was slated to pitch Thursday against the Washington Nationals, but felt discomfort during a bullpen session, putting his status in doubt. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the mound against the Nationals in his place.

The 28-year-old has been the Orioles' most consistent starter this season, with a record of 15-5 and 3.76 ERA. His injury could prove to be a huge loss as they currently find themselves in the middle of a pennant race.

Even with Tillman, though, the Orioles' rotation has been a cause for concern all year, as they entered Tuesday with the AL's fourth-highest combined ERA at 4.37 and have issued the most walks with 266.

"We are going to miss him on the mound," Adam Jones said.

Entering Tuesday, they remain two games back of the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays who are tied for the division lead, but own the second AL wild-card spot, a game-and-a-half ahead of the Detroit Tigers.