Jays' Hamilton Placed On DL

April 16, 1999 / 9:08 PM EDT / AP

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Joey Hamilton, hit hard in his first two AL starts, was put on the 15-day disabled list Friday because an injured shoulder.

Hamilton (0-2), who allowed 15 earned runs in seven innings, has right shoulder impingement.

Hamilton said his shoulder bothered him in spring training and it felt "really sore" after pitching last Tuesday. He has not pitched between starts because of the soreness.

"Something is not right," said Hamilton, scheduled for an exam Monday with Dr. James Andrews. "Whether something is broken, I don't know."

Toronto acquired the 28-year-old right-hander from San Diego in an offseason trade for Woody Williams, Carlos Almanzar and outfield prospect Peter Tucci, then signed Hamilton to a $17 million, three-year contract.

The DL move retroactive to April 14. Toronto recalled right-hander Nerio Rodriguez from Triple-A Syracuse.

Roy Halladay, who came within one out of a no-hitter on the final day of the 1998 season, will start in Hamilton's place Sunday. Halladay hasn't allowed an earned run in nine innings out of the bullpen this year.

"It goes to show you that pitching is a fragile commodity," Toronto general manager Gord Ash said. "You can never have enough pitching."