The Orioles have placed pitcher Rich Hill on the disabled list with a sore shoulder. Hill pitched yesterday against the Royals and allowed three runs and three walks in 2.3 innings. Hill contends that he's been pitching hurt all season:

"I've been pitching with a torn labrum pretty much all season, so it's kind of something that I think it's either gotten worse or it's still the same," Hill said. "I'm not looking for an out or an excuse, but ... pitching with a torn labrum is something that isn't very easy to do, I guess you could say."

Orioles manager Dave Trembley acted surprised when told the extent of Hill's shoulder injury.

"To be honest with you, that's the first time I ever heard about a torn labrum," Trembley said. "I was not aware of that. And after he talked to me, I spoke to (trainer) Richie Bancells."

If Hill really does have a torn labrum, I'm not sure how Baltimore's manager doesn't know about it. Hill says he learned about the tear when he was doing a physical for the Orioles before the Cubs traded him.

In the meantime, the Cubs have promoted Chris Tillman to take Hill's place on the roster. Tillman, 21, will pitch against the Royals tonight. Tillman, who was acquired in the Erik Bedard deal with Seattle, has emerged as one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. He posted a 2.70 ERA with 99 strikeouts in 96.7 innings this year for Class AAA Norfolk. It's a shame that Hill has been a bust for the Orioles--I've always liked watching his curveball--but Tillman's big-league debut is a heck of a silver lining for O's fans and for the baseball world at large.