Chris Davis Placed on 10-Day DL by Orioles with Oblique Injury

As the Baltimore Orioles look to climb their way back into the American League East race, an injury to Chris Davis' oblique could hurt their chances.

The Orioles announced on Wednesday that Davis has been placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to June 13 with a strained right oblique. 

He was injured while swinging the bat during Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox. 

Davis has had an erratic career, though his highs have been fantastic. The 30-year-old played in 160 games in 2013 and 2015, the two best seasons of his career, when he hit a combined 100 home runs and drove in 255 runs.

The Orioles bet on the good Davis showing up more often than not when they re-signed him to a seven-year deal last offseason, but his numbers dipped back to .221/.332/.459 with a league-leading 219 strikeouts in 566 at-bats.

In 61 games this season, Davis is hitting .226/.320/.461 with 14 home runs.

Davis' ability to play in at least 157 games three times in the previous four seasons shows he's a durable player. This will hopefully be just a minor hiccup for the slugger because the Orioles are fighting the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East.

The Orioles do have multiple options at first base with Davis out. Mark Trumbo has experience at the position, while Trey Mancini is also capable of filling in if manager Buck Showalter wants to keep Trumbo in the outfield.

The Orioles will go as far as their bullpen and offense carry them, so they will need Davis to make a swift return if they hope to have a successful 2017.