Orioles place Castillo on disabled list

BOSTON - The Orioles have placed catcher Welington Castillo on the 10-day disabled list with right shoulder tendinitis and purchased the contract of catcher Francisco Peña from Triple-A Norfolk.

Pitcher Damien Magnifico was designated for assignment to create a 40-man spot for Peña, who was outrighted in spring training.

Castillo underwent an MRI this morning and no structural damage was found in the shoulder. He was scratched from the lineup yesterday, with the initial explanation being neck spasms. However, the club determined later that the issue was based more in his shoulder.

"Started some medication," said manager Buck Showalter. "Think it'll manage itself within the 10 days, but because of the position, we're going to need a catcher."

Caleb Joseph will be the starter in Castillo's absence. Ryan Flaherty remains the emergency catcher behind Peña, who was 9-for-31 (.290) with a double and home run in 10 games.

Castillo is batting .314/.333/.443 (22-for-70) with six doubles, one home run and six RBIs in 17 games. He's thrown out five of 14 runners attempting to steal.

"We've been thinking about it, waiting on the tests, talking with Welington the most and this is the path we've decided to take, including Welington," Showalter said.

The move with Castillo is backdated to yesterday.

"The MRI we did on him before we brought him in initially, nothing changed structurally in the shoulder, so that's great news," Showalter said. "I don't know how much the WBC, kind of the early start ... He's been kind of fighting it and we're going to try to clear it up so it's not an issue this year. We feel confident that if we take this time it won't be an issue.

"It's a long season. He started the dose pack that usually takes two to four days. Then, you start throwing and see how you are the next day. If it was another position, we might try to wait on it, but you're a foul tip away from seeing Ryan Flaherty make his debut behind the plate.

"I know Ryan's pretty excited about bringing in another catcher today. I can tell you that."

Magnifico allowed seven earned runs (eight total) and 13 hits in 6 1/3 innings with Norfolk. Not magnificent.

The Orioles acquired Magnificio from the Brewers on April 13 international signing bonus slot No. 15. They designated pitcher Jason García for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster, and later outrighted him to Double-A Bowie after he cleared waivers.