By Zach Berman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

BALTIMORE, Aug. 19 -- Before Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles placed closer George Sherrill on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 16 with inflammation of the left shoulder.

Sherrill felt stiffness in his arm while playing catch before Monday's game and had an MRI exam Tuesday afternoon.

"The MRI, side-by-side, looked identical to the one [doctors] took in spring training," said Andy MacPhail, the Orioles' president of baseball operations. "There is a little inflammation, which they injected and prescribed rest [for]. We don't have any long-term concerns at the present time."

MacPhail said Sherrill will not throw for a week. By the time he will be able to return, rosters expand and September call-ups will provide reinforcements so the Orioles do not need to rush him.

In his first season with the Orioles, Sherrill has 31 saves. The left-handed reliever was acquired as part of the package the Seattle Mariners gave the Orioles to acquire left-handed starter Erik Bedard in the offseason.

Sherrill has never carried the workload in his first five major league seasons that he has this year. Compounded with an All-Star Game appearance that lasted 2 1/3 innings and 25 pitches, it raises the question of whether the increased work has anything to do with the injury.

The Orioles will fill Sherrill's roster Wednesday.

Kevin Gracie, 24, of Ellicott City, became the 50-millionth fan in Oriole Park at Camden Yards history Tuesday. He received $50,000 and season tickets for five seasons, among other prizes.

UP NEXT: Wednesday vs. Red Sox 7:05 p.m. Waters (1-0) vs. Buchholz (2-8) MASN

Friday vs. Yankees 7:05 p.m. TBA vs. Mike Mussina (16-7) MASN