Tejada played in 1,152 straight games — the fifth-longest streak in baseball history — before being placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday. The injury occurred on June 20, when he was hit by a pitch thrown by San Diego's Doug Brocail.

"There's nothing I can do," Tejada said today. "I don't want to be out. It's tough for me because I like to play baseball. I just hope I heal pretty good and can be back before (August)."

Tejada is batting .306 with seven homers. He ranks second on the team with 41 RBIs.

"Losing Miguel is a big blow. He's definitely the MVP of the club," Orioles first baseman Kevin Millar said. "But when he goes down, other guys step up. That's our job."

Reserves Freddie Bynum and Chris Gomez will share time at shortstop until Tejada returns, and interim manager Dave Trembley has been shuffling players at the cleanup spot.

"I think its an unfortunate situation. Honestly, everybody knows what he meant to our club and what he meant to baseball," Trembley said. "When you take a No. 4 guy out of the lineup on a daily basis, were going to have to regroup a little bit. Well get by the best we can."

Tejada had an MRI today and was fitted with a splint, which he will wear for the next two weeks. He said Brocail called him to apologize for the inside pitch.

"I told him that's part of baseball. Don't worry about it," Tejada said.

Tejada kept his streak alive the day after being struck by the pitch, but left after one at-bat — a bunt. He came under criticism for extending his run in that fashion, and he acknowledged today it wasn't the right thing to do.