BALTIMORE -- Struggling Orioles starter Chris Tillman was placed on the 10-day disabled list prior to Friday's 9-4 win over the Rays at Camden Yards with a low back strain.
Tillman, who has failed to get out of the second inning in each of his last two starts, saw his season ERA climb over 10.00 on Thursday night, when he allowed six runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings against the Royals. Afterward, the righty called his performance "frustrating," but insisted physically he was fine.
"He was in an MRI tube for quite a while today," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Tillman, who has a history of back issues. "I know what some of the findings were, and the DL was obviously needed."
In Tillman's place, the Orioles recalled Jimmy Yacabonis from Triple-A Norfolk to help bolster the bullpen. Yacabonis will add right-handed length for a team that has had three starts shorter than two innings in the past seven games.
Yacabonis has pitched one inning for the Orioles this year, and is 0-1 with a 4.95 ERA in six starts for Norfolk, pitching 20 innings and allowing 11 runs on 17 hits and 12 walks.
Right now, the Orioles aren't sure what the plan is for Tillman's rehab. He may stay with the team or he may go to the spring facility in Sarasota, Fla. Signed as a free agent this spring to a one-year deal, Tillman's contract included a base salary of $3 million.